APS Athletics Day
Many people say that APS Athletics Day is their favourite day of the year and the sporting gods served up the most perfect weather for the 2025 event. My own PB for the day was to make sure I did not get as sunburnt as Mr Doran did in 2024, but after that, it was all about savouring this unique opportunity, which was to witness Haileybury athletes from all campuses and all ages coming together as part of a team, where every individual performance equally contributes to the overall goal of Hearts and Bloods success.
To witness Year 12 students so passionately cheering our Middle School athletes, and for Middle School students to rub shoulders with those older students that they aspire to become, is a truly unique event on the school calendar. With the support of Mr Mark Reed and Craig Mottram, who offer a best-in-class year-long training program, every student has the opportunity to train like an Olympian in preparation for this big stage.
And didn’t our team rise to the occasion! There were many individual highlights in the boys, with Archie (Year 11 Keysborough) winning all four of his events and Tairon (Year 12 Berwick) winning his fourth shot put title in a row, in addition to outstanding performances by Jett (Year 10 Berwick), Kai (Year 7 Berwick) and Cal (Year 7 Brighton).
However, it was the girls team that were stars of the day. I know I have not been here for long, but I am not sure we will see a better example of the team ethos that underpins the spirit of the Hearts. Although we did not win as many races as other schools, it was our consistency in competing in every race and accumulating points throughout the day that had us right in the mix at every update.
Never was this more personified than the last race of the day, when our girls in the Open 4 x 100m gallantly fought out for second position, which was ultimately enough for us to secure the title over Wesley. Not that we knew until the ceremony, when our leaders were nervously awaiting the official result.
I think that moment will be one that many remember for a long time as Haileybury was announced the winner of this prestigious event. No-one better represents everything we love about Haileybury sport than our Girls Sport Captain Angelia (Year 12 Keysborough) and to see the joy on her face as she accepted the cup was a true highlight. Special mention to Portia (Year 7 Berwick) who competed in seven events.
Haileybury students again starring for the Big V
Basketball
Basketball has one of the most competitive development programs in Victorian representative sport, so we are extremely proud to share the news that three of our First team players were awarded with selection in the Victorian teams for the U20 National Championships to be conducted in February.
- Owen (Year 12 Keysborough) was selected to the main team after winning gold in 2025 with the U20 Navy team (development team).
- Thomas (Year 12 Keysborough) has been selected in the main team. It is his first state team selection.
- Nicholas (Year 12 Keysborough), our Schools Sports Captain, was selected to the Navy team. This is his first state selection since multiple back stress fractures sidelined him for a year in 2023. Nicholas won gold in 2022 with the U16 team.
Volleyball
It was extremely exciting to see Ben (Year 7 City) selected to represent the Big V in the Australian Youth Volleyball Competition (Nationals). After a week of competition, the team made it through to the final match and achieved a silver medal. Ben made an extremely valuable contribution to the team, which led to him being awarded the Coaches Award at the state volleyball awards dinner for most improved player during the season. This is an especially special achievement for the Haileybury volleyball program as Ben is the only state player who does not play club competition.
Hockey
Liam (Year 8 Keysborough) and Zoe (Year 7 Keysborough) were selected to represent Victoria at the U14 National Championships over the Term 3 holidays. Both Liam and Zoe already represent the school at First team level, as well as a number of other students from the Middle School, which is a great sign for the future of Hearts and Bloods Hockey.
National Swimming Championship
Yee (Year 6 Keysborough) was selected to represent Team Victoria at the 2025 School Sport Australia National Swimming Championships held in Ballarat. Yee competed in both individual and relay events and was delighted to win a bronze medal in the Boys 12-Year 100 Metre Backstroke.
Matthew Dwyer
Head of Sport (One Haileybury)
