This year’s Winter Intercol was a showcase of determination, sportsmanship, and school spirit. Across the range of winter sports, our students gave their all, representing SPSC with pride and skill. Thank you to all the players, coaches, and managers for their time, energy, and dedication throughout Intercol. Your commitment and hard work truly made this event a success and we look forward to building on these experiences and coming back even stronger next year. A special mention goes to our supporters—students who consistently attended game after game to observe and cheer on their peers. Your presence and encouragement were invaluable and exemplify the spirit of community, support and looking beyond your own horizon.
Here’s a summary of the key events:
Soccer
The Soccer match was a closely fought contest, reflecting pre-game expectations. Despite PAC’s slightly better season-long results and having more Year 12 starters, our team battled hard. The game was intense, with excellent sportsmanship on display. Special mention goes to Aaron Middelberg (Year 12), whose post-game speech gracefully acknowledged the contributions of all key individuals, despite his obvious disappointment. The support from the community was unwavering, even in heavy rain, with many staying to cheer on the players.
Squash
The second Squash Intercol, held at Next Generation, Memorial Drive, saw our team face strong, experienced opposition. Despite a 1-3 defeat, our players demonstrated fierce competitive spirit and skill. Throughout the inter-school competition, our Squash teams have delivered strong performances, reflecting the impressive growth of our program. Seven teams, comprising 36 students, competed in the High School Teams Competition, with three teams advancing to the finals. Additionally, nine students represented the School in the South Australian School Squash Championships. The future of Squash looks bright with an exciting crop of juniors coming through, including two Year 9 students who played in our Intercol squad. The inclusion of our youngest Intercol team highlights the ongoing development within our ranks and hints at a promising future. Congratulations to all our players and coaches, and best of luck in the upcoming Squash SA School Teams Championships.
Debating
This year’s Debating event was a highlight of Intercol, with strong attendance from the Blue Army and growing support for our debaters. The topic, “That politicians should be held personally liable for breaking their election promises,” saw our team arguing the negative. Our debaters were well-prepared and articulate, securing a victory in a split decision. Special congratulations to Alex Koh, who was named Best Speaker. The support and enthusiasm from the crowd, complete with chants and a drumline, added to the electric atmosphere.
Rugby
Our young and developing Rugby team showed glimpses of their potential with some excellent passages of play. However, basic handling errors at crucial moments cost us dearly. Despite this, the boys competed with heart right until the final whistle. With time and experience, this team is sure to improve and build on this year’s efforts.
Table Tennis
Our Table Tennis team enjoyed a successful outing, winning the overall match 14-6. The competition was intense, with many closely fought singles and doubles matches. The Open A1 team finished strongly in the reverse singles, securing our overall victory. This was a well-deserved win for a team that has trained hard all season.
Chess
Our Chess team faced a formidable opponent, resulting in a 2-8 defeat. However, there were standout performances from Aidan Du (Year 11), who secured a win, and Miles Taylor (Year 8) and Andrew Xu (Year 11), who each achieved draws. On the reserve boards, Andrew Ung (Year 9) won his game, and Toby Zhang (Year 10) also earned a draw. Despite the loss, many of the games were closely contested, especially in the first half. Our new players showed great promise and performed admirably in their matches.
Hockey
Our 1st XI Hockey team had a remarkable season, sharing the SAAS Premiership with PAC, as both teams were inseparable in results and points. The Intercol Trophy was also shared after an exceptional match that ended 3-3, even after extra time. The Middle School hockey team also put in a stellar performance, displaying skill and determination in their Intercol match.
Basketball
The Basketball program had an exceptional year, highlighted by several key events and remarkable achievements. It began with the annual trip to Shore in April, where our Open A and B teams competed against top-tier Sydney school teams, strengthening our interstate ties. In June, we continued to build these connections by hosting St Joseph’s College (QLD), furthering the spirit of camaraderie and competition.
Our Open A team delivered a standout performance, securing their third consecutive victory in the prestigious 60th Basketball Intercol game. In a thrilling match that kept the audience on the edge of their seats, they clinched a 56-54 win over PAC in front of a packed Burchnall Sports Centre. Throughout the year, our Basketball teams demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill across 195 games, achieving 77 wins, 5 draws, and facing tough competition in 113 matches.
Football
The 1st XVIII Football team faced a tough challenge, starting the game slowly but fighting back to stay in the contest. Although they were unable to close the gap, the boys’ effort throughout the year has been commendable. Their hard work and dedication were evident, and they should be proud of their performance. A special thank you to the entire community for turning out in force to support the biggest day on the football calendar.
Barnaby Eaton
Director of Sport & HPE
