New Gym Equipment - Synergy Fitness docation

A huge shout out to Soccer Sport Excellence alumnus Mark Conrad for his involvement in the extremely generous donation of brand-new gym equipment by Synergy Fitness. Overall, thirteen new weight machines, rollers, ladders, mats and resistance bands valued at well over $50,000 were delivered to PBC at the end of Term 1. This is the second occasion that Synergy have supported the school through the PBC Alliance having also donated 4 treadmills and exercise bikes in 2018. Their support is very much appreciated by the students and sports excellence coaches.

Gym Extension

Over the Easter break the finishing touches to the gym extension were completed. A new roof has been added to the gym to provide an all-weather work area. Another addition to the gym precinct has been the installation of a 20m artificial grass area that will allow teachers to conduct sled and slider sessions as part of the student’s fitness programs.

AFL Senior Boys

Congratulations to Jack Johnston, Charles Passmore, Zach Nussey, Jackson Straughan and Luke Cahill on being selected by their peers to be our 2020 Leadership Group. A big thank you to our program sponsors Southport Sharks and Fraser Financial Services for their continued support. As a result of their contributions, the senior playing group will hopefully be travelling to Melbourne in Term 3 to play Hallam College if COVID restictions allow.

Football (Soccer)

Mr Jason Culina has joined our program as a Junior Boys Coach on Tuesdays. Jason is one of the most decorated Australian players of Australia’s ‘Golden Generation’. Having spent a decade playing professionally in Europe as well as competing in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups for the Socceroos, the insight Jason will provide our players and coaches as to what is needed to become a professional footballer will be invaluable. 

We have had some exciting news from some ex-Reds. Cooper Skerry has been signed to the Leeds United Academy in England as a Goalkeeper. Jay Rich-Baghuelou has recently been signed to Crystal Palace’s U/23 team. Oskar Dillon has been signed to a professional contract by A-League club Western United. Jay and Oskar were 2016 graduates and winners of the SPL that year.

Prior to the suspension of competition the PBC SPL squads managed to complete Round 1 of the Schools Premier League competition vs Aspley State High. It was a dominant clean sweep for the Reds winning all four divisions across Junior Girls/Boys and Senior Girls/Boys.

The Year 9 Boys participated in the Term 1 Cluster Day at Coplicks Park playing and winning all three games on the day against SPL opposition. The style of play and effort put in by the players was exceptional.

Touch Football

One of the last sporting events to occur before the COVID-19 restrictions were implemented was the Inferno National Touch League held in Coffs Harbour from 11 to 14 March. This annual national competition takes place between regional representative teams to determine the best Open Mens, Womens, Mixed and Senior teams in Australia. The QLD and National teams are also selected from this tournament.

Despite this competition being an open aged competition, PBC had three girls from the Senior Sport Excellence Touch Football Program representing the Reds in the South Queensland Sharks team. The Sharks sent two Open Women teams to the Nationals with Hannah Glew, Emmasen Davis and Emily Phillips all playing in the development team. Malia Morgan was also selected but unfortunately had to pull out. This was a highly contested team and it was an outstanding effort to gain selection. Emily Phillips was also named as the Captain of this team which was extremely impressive considering she was one of the youngest girls on the team and in the entire tournament. 

It was a tough week for the girls, battling against the best female players in the country but they learned so much, fought extremely hard and represented all of the Reds with pride. They were competitive in a number of games and were not out of place in any way. There was one try in particular where all three of the PBC girls were involved which was very impressive. I have no doubt that their experience at this tournament and pushing themselves to compete against this level of opposition will put PBC in good shape when competition starts up again later in the year.

Well done Hannah, Emmasen and Emily!