The final weeks of Term 1 were massive for the football fraternity at St Edmund’s College!
MARSEC
Another year, another MARSEC competition completed! Our boys played exceptionally well in all age groups during the annual Marist vs St Edmund’s College football competition last term. Walking away with some wins and some near misses, at the end of the day Marist was victorious, taking the shield for another year. The comradery and spirit we saw on and off their field from our boys was wonderful. The sideline was sprinkled with spectators from Marist, while on the other side our boys, their families and many staff members lined the surrounding hills of Watters and O’Brien oval. It was a great day and despite the end result our boys were well matched for competition and the spirit of the MARSEC shield will live on for another season.
First XI vs Grammar at Deakin Stadium
With the echo of an Eddies drum in the distance, our First XI team were cheered on at Deakin stadium in the final week of term 1. Our boys were set against the First XI of Canberra Grammar School. We saw some mighty saves and near misses on the field as our boys held their heads up high in an incredibly competitive game to begin with. As the game continued, the energy of our boys was challenged which contributed to our overall loss for that match. The cheering from the sideline and the support that the peers of our boys provided were comfort and a piece of home as our boys held their heads up and took their learnings from that match into the tournament that was to follow.
EREA Tournament
Each year a national invitational football tournament is held for U16 and U18s teams from Edmund Rice Education Australia schools. This year this tournament was hosted at St Edmund’s College. This was the first time it has been hosted outside of its hometown in Brisbane. We had school representatives from across Australia;
- St Columbans, Caboolture
- St Pius X College, Sydney
- Ambrose Treacy College, Queensland
- St Virgil’s and Rostrevor, Adelaide
- St Joseph’s Flexi School, Alice Springs
The tournament was over three massive days. The first day was the last Friday of the term. On this day, with the sun shining and Eddies boys cheering, it was a wonderful atmosphere which saw our committed 15s and 16s team as well as our first XI meet their match on the field. Day two of the tournament provided some challenges with not only the weather but the opposition our boys faced. With some really close games for our first XI, we also had many of our second XI boys step in and play alongside Alice Springs Flexi school. The spirit of these boys playing together on the field was spectacular.
During the final day of the tournament, our 15s/16s team needed some fresh energy on the field with many of our 16s players succumbing to injury or illness. Their final match together saw them finish with a near miss from a win.
Meanwhile, up on Watters, our first XI gave their all in their final match against St Joseph’s flexi.
We were introduced and witness to some incredible skill and talent in the U16 and U18 teams of our brother schools. Their sportsmanship and the manner in which they represented their colleges was exceptional. It was an absolute pleasure to host their staff and students here at St Edmund’s!
The final champions for the EREA U16 tournament was Rostrevor, Adelaide and the champions for the U18 tournament was St Pius X, Sydney.
The tournament could not have gone ahead without the support of the parents, boys and staff in the football community. Thank you to Angus Balmacks for his work in liaising with the schools and organising the event. Thank you to Joel Richardson and other staff for accommodating the students from St Joseph’s Flexi school over the three days.
A special thank you to Anne Rhodes for her coordination and organisation of referees, meals and canteen facilities for both MARSEC and EREA tournaments. Thank you to members of the committee who worked behind the scenes both in the lead up to and during these events. Thanks also must be given to all coaches involved in the preparation of our boys for these day and to the many U15s boys who jumped in and got involved for the finals. We very much look forward in participating next year!
The season is around the corner!
Round 1 begins this Saturday for all teams. Many teams are playing on home ground but please check the draw below
| St Edmund’s College Team | Time | Opposition | Location |
| U10 | 11:30 | Brindabella Blues | St Edmund’s College |
| U11 | 12.30 | Belwest Foxes | Lathan Playing fields |
| U13B | 12.30 | Belsouth Allstars | St Edmund’s College |
| U13W | 12.30 | Tuggeranong United | St Edmund’s College |
| U14 | 1.45 | Woden Valley Roar | St Edmund’s College |
| U15 | 3.10 | Belnorth FC | Kaleen Playing Fields |
| U16 | 3.10 | Belsouth VeeAte | St Edmund’s College |
| Second XI | 3.10 | Marist Canberra | Marist College |
| First XI | 3.10 | Belsouth Taipans | St Edmund’s College |
All boys are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to game time. The first and second XI are required to wear their full school uniform to all matches and are encouraged to attend the earlier match to cheer on their younger peers!
The draw is available online here: https://tinyurl.com/ydatrd52
You can also access this and other important notifications when you download the ‘Team App’ and add St Edmund’s Football.
If you have any questions or concerns as the season commences, please contact me any time.
Mel Wilson (Football Coordinator)