GETTING ACTIVE

Our students love giving new things a go and some are finding a passion in non-traditional activities on offer at Grammar.

Director of Sport, Dean Rossato, says it’s important to be able to offer a range of opportunities.

“It’s about much more than just the physical benefits. We also see the difference it makes to a student’s happiness and confidence when they are engaged and challenging themselves.”

Dean says there are lots of reasons why a student might find it challenging to join in a sport at school, such as breaking habits formed during COVID lockdowns or not seeing themselves as ‘sporty’, or being new at school and not really knowing the ropes. Sometimes it just requires a little question to a teacher who can help.

Seeing students out and about trying new things and having fun are great parts of Dean's job.

Some of the competitive and noncompetitive (for social and fitness)

Sports activities available at Grammar are:

+ Athletics

+ Badminton

+ Baseball

+ Basketball

+ Clay target shooting

+ Cricket

+ Cross-country running

Dean looks at it holistically. “It’s about catering for all of our students. While we need to provide our top sportspeople with the vehicle to pursue their passion and to strive and improve in their chosen sport, we also need to provide attractive opportunities for all students to get active or even challenge themselves physically.”

For Dean, the great successes are all the little wins along the way. “There’s so much you can get out of it. It’s a snowball effect: from having the courage to sign up to getting yourself organised to be in the right place at the right time with the right gear on through to learning new skills and gaining confidence. Along the way you inevitably meet new people and have fun.

“I love watching all the Grammar sailing boats out on the Lake with students who, even just five weeks into the sailing program, know how to get the boats out on the water and work together as a crew. Or passing a group of students from all year levels walking and chatting together on their way down to the local Lawn Bowling Club. Or hearing about a student who has joined the local sailing or cycling club after being inspired through their involvement in the sport at the School.”

+ Cycling

+ Equestrian

+ Fitness and weights classes

+ Football

+ Golf

+ Hockey

+ Lawn bowls

+ Mountain biking

+ Netball

+ Racquetball

+ Rowing

+ Sailing

+ Soccer

+ Softball

+ Squash

+ Swimming

+ Table tennis

+ Tennis

+ Volleyball

(Old Grammarians, what do you remember playing/participating in?)

We asked some of our students why they decided to take up this activity, what they like most about it, what they’ve learned and whether they think they’ll want to continue it outside school.

Year 9 student Hamish Lightfoot says one of the biggest things he’s learned from sailing is the importance of teamwork.

Year 8 student Kate Burke was encouraged to try sailing by her older siblings and loved the feel of the boat moving with the wind. “I really enjoyed it when we got out past the rowing shed and we could get some speed… it was almost surreal… sitting on the edge of the boat and leaning out, trailing my hand in the water.”

Year 7 student Max Tregilles’ love of road cycling led him to try track cycling.

Year 7 student Anton McBride took up social tennis because he thought that it would be a good learning experience.

We asked English and Philosophy teacher Peter Curry to tell us about coaching golf.

What is your background in golf?

If we forget about hacking around some courses in Melbourne many years ago, I took up golf about five years ago and have been remarkably average at it ever since.

What do you enjoy most about playing golf?

Standing on the first tee early on a Saturday morning and thinking this is going to be the one. It’s a short moment.

What do you like most about taking golf at Grammar?

It’s relaxing and enjoyable. There’s time to chat with students and even give a tip or two about how they can improve (or how they can help my game!). Also, introducing students to a game that they can play until they’re a hundred is a worthwhile thing.

Why is it important for students to have options at school?

It’s important in several ways. They get to experience different sports and develop skills and perseverance. And they might just find something they love.

What do the students get out of it?

Golf is a really hard game, especially as a beginner. When a student finally hits a cracking shot, they smile and walk a bit taller. And then this brings them back next week.