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A Model of Hope softball all giving our girls the opportunity to study-up, compare to, and cheer for, the world’s best. At the time of writing, some eight weeks has passed since the Games, and while there were many amazing performances and learnings from the traditional Brigo sports represented and listed above, for many young Australians the lasting impression from this event came from less traditional sources.
Semester 2, 2021 is most definitely a challenging time to report on the area of cocurricular. Yet, we need to mark and share this Covid lockdown moment in time, for all its challenges, and because it was the catalyst for creative thought, different experiences, reflection, determination, teamwork, appreciation and change. When the 2021 Covid Delta strain lockdown commenced, the Brigidine community had just settled into the mid-year holiday break. The initial reaction and messaging at the time was one of postponement, amidst a wait and see hold-tight optimism. After all, 2020 had shown us all the way out of lockdown. Unfortunately the messaging quickly changed, as the case numbers rose, and for much of the cocurricular program, the news of postponements shifted to statements of cancellation. An early glimmer of relief for many of us in lockdown was the long-awaited Japan Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Of some consolation for many of us was the rationale that while we weren’t allowed to play we had the chance to watch, and better still watch the best in the world in a time zone that didn’t keep the dedicated up all night. The Brigidine Sports Program was certainly well represented in Tokyo, with water polo, basketball, football, rugby sevens, volleyball, tennis, hockey and
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THE BRIDGE ISSUE 2 2021
The young women in Tokyo who competed in skateboarding and BMX in particular, brought a powerful and youthful free spirit, courage, creativity, compassion, joy and friendship to their events. These young women placed the joy of competing, the bonds of friendship, and a shared passion for their sport, above medals and nationalism. Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Committee and the man widely regarded as the farther of the modern Olympics, would surely have been inspired.
“I can’t wait to compete again where my team and I are able to have a laugh while working hard and efficiently to win each game and play our best. It’s the balance of fun and competition that I love about cocurricular, especially sport!” Hannah Grice (Year 11), Netball “Since the beginning of online learning, the Brigidine Robotics Club has found a new way to stay connected! Using Minecraft Education Edition, we’ve set up a server that allows us to work together in real-time, just like we would in the classroom. It has been a great way to socialise and stay entertained after a hard day of lockdown.” Natalie Bowesman (Year 12), Robotics
Pierre de Coubertin’s quoted vision certainly rings true in these challenging times for all of us. That, “the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well”. And that “joy and good fellowship reign, and in this manner, may the Olympic Torch pursue its way through ages, increasing friendly understanding among nations, for the good of a humanity always more enthusiastic, more courageous and more pure.” Those who watched can probably agree that the Tokyo Games were triumphant and a true 2021 highlight. If we consider that this event was postponed a year, and that these incredible athletes patiently waited five years for their opportunity, then the 2021 Olympics were a model of hope for all of us involved in cocurricular. And with all of this in mind, we recognise, value and celebrate the current triumphs amongst the struggles. We recognise student courage, student voice, and the behind the scenes determination that keeps us all moving forward in whatever way we can. Here is just a small sample of such. O W E N VA L E DIRECTOR, COCURRICULAR
“I was really looking forward to a great start to Rugby Sevens this year, and although I’m so disappointed we missed out, I hope this break between now and next season gives us even more time to learn and improve in preparation for next year’s season. I can’t wait to start training and I’m pumped to get on the field again. I promise there will be power and passion in our new Brigidine jersey.” Annaliese Chan (Year 9), Rugby Sevens
