Falcon Bulletin - Issue 03

Table of Contents

SUMMER SPORT

BY RICHARD CROAN

2023-2024 Summer grade sport finals

Grand finals for North West Metropolitan Zone summer competitions were played on Wednesday 28 February, with twelve North Sydney teams competing on the day.

Congratulations to the 2nd Grade and 14s Basketball teams, the 2nd Grade Futsal team, and the 1st grade, 2nd grade, 15s and 14s squash teams for winning their grand final matches. Thank you to the coaches of all grade sport teams for their effort throughout the season.

Premiers

2nd Grade Basketball – North Sydney def. Normanhurst 41-40

14s Basketball – North Sydney def. Epping 39-20

2nd Grade Futsal – North Sydney def. Homebush 3-1

1st Grade Squash – North Sydney def. Normanhurst 5-3

2nd Grade Squash – North Sydney def. Normanhurst 5-3

15s Squash – North Sydney def. Normanhurst 5-3

14s Squash – North Sydney def. Normanhurst 7-1

Grand Finalists

1st Grade Cricket – North Sydney def. by Normanhurst 7/154 to 5/104

15s Basketball – North Sydney def. by Epping 51-41

15s Volleyball – North Sydney def. by Epping 2-0

14s Volleyball – North Sydney def. by Epping 2-1

15s Water Polo –North Sydney def. by Epping 6-3

NSBHS Premiership Winning Teams –Summer 2023-2024

2nd Grade Basketball

Dylan Nestel

Jacob George

Kim Wang

Ovro Chowdhury

Paulson Ming

Ryan Chow

Sebastian Wei

Vincent Widjaya

Zachary Ho

Zimin Lu

14s Basketball

Adwyn Kang

Allen Ji

Chris Yang

Ethan Van Domselaar

Hayden Kong

Jayden Wang

Kiren Pillay

Lucas Zhou

Mason Brown

Oscar Chen

2nd Grade Futsal

Adam Ning

Bruce Xu

Dennis Chau

Janin Jobi

Owen Lee

Rhys Lau

Rhys Mitchell

Timothy Pham

Zachary Mendoza

1st Grade Squash

Brendan Boomla

Nicolas Liu

Rihan Ajmera

Ryan Chen

2nd Grade Squash

Andrew Xue

Eron Chen

Ethan Sun

Ewan Kim

15s Squash

Hugo Woon

Ken Fu

Leo Xiao

Louis Zhan

Sean Sehu

14s Squash

David P’ng

Isaac Lou

Lucas Sun

Raul Saldanha

Taoyi Wang

Best and Fairest Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have been named ‘Best & Fairest’ player for their positive contributions during the 2023-2024 summer season.

1st Grade Cricket – Shaan Brar

14s Cricket – Taha Tahir

1st Grade Water Polo – Anthony Ivanov

2nd Grade Water Polo – Alan Tran

15s Water Polo – Bryan Liu

14s Water Polo – Manny Keith

1st Grade Squash – Brendan Boomla

2nd Grade Squash – Ewan Kim

15s Squash – Sean Sehu

14s Squash – Taoyi Wang

1st Grade Basketball – Kyle Lee

2nd Grade Basketball – Zachary Ho

15s Basketball – Qanit Mubarak

14s Basketball – Mason Brown

1st Grade Futsal – Rei Tohara

2nd Grade Futsal – Rhys Lau

1st Grade Volleyball – Kai Ea

2nd Grade Volleyball – Johram Kavianifar

15s Volleyball – Cooper Nguyen

14s Volleyball – Daniel Zhao

Opens League Tag – Tristan Tan

15s League Tag – Agastya Katamaneni

14s League Tag – Hoyt Sun

1st Grade Ultimate – Shion Endo

2nd Grade Ultimate – Andoni Condosiadis

15As Ultimate – Kirby Yan

15Bs Ultimate – Matthew Li

Swimming Carnival Results

Congratulations to the following boys in recognition of their outstanding individual performances at the school carnival:

Age Champion Age Runner-Up

Zone Swimming Carnival

The NSBHS swimming team represented the school at the Zone carnival on Thursday 14 March. All team members displayed terrific school spirit and commitment, finishing a close 2nd behind Epping. Congratulations and thank you to all the boys who represented the school with distinction on the day. It was a great team effort!

2024 NSBHS Swimming Team

Ethan Chen – Year 7

Justin Lau – Year 7

Riley Qiao – Year 7

Darrman Vigneshwaran – Year 7

Princeton Ye – Year 7

Frederick Yu – Year 7

Nathaniel Chong – Year 7

Edward Lee – Year 7

Alexander Song – Year 8

Preston Zhou – Year 7

Lucas Ding – Year 9

Edson Jia – Year 9

Manny Keith – Year 8

Louis Wang – Year 9

Jordan Yan – Year 9

Terrence LI – Year 10

Bryan Liu – Year 9

Michael Shou – Year 9

Albert Wang – Year 9

Owen Zhang – Year 9

Liam Celinski – Year 10

Yi Long Cho – Year 10

Jesse Oh – Year 10

Alan Tran – Year 11

Anthony Ivanov – Year 12

Kyle Lee – Year 11

Daniel Liao – Year 11

Eric Peilin Liu – Year 12

Bruce Xu – Year 11

12 years

13 years

Justin Lau (7)

Edward Lee (7)

14 years *Lucas Ding (9)

15 years

16 years

17+ years

* Equal 1st Age Champions

Albert Wang (9)

Yi Long Cho (10)

Kyle Lee (11)

Theo Yung (7)

Nathaniel Chong (7)

*Manny Keith (8)

Owen Zhang (9)

Liam Celinski (10)

Anthony Ivanov (12)

The following students provided some highlights by finishing 1st or 2nd in their events and qualified to swim at the Sydney North regional carnival:

Nathaniel Chong (13 years) – 50m freestyle (1st), 100m freestyle (1st), 50m backstroke (2nd) and 50m butterfly (2nd)

Edward Lee (13 years) – 50m butterfly (1st), 200m freestyle (1st), 50m breaststroke (1st) and 100m freestyle (2nd)

Alexander Song (13 years) – 50m backstroke (1st) and 50m freestyle (2nd)

Lucas Ding (14 years) – 50m backstroke (2nd)

Albert Wang (15 years) – 100m breaststroke (1st) and 100m butterfly (2nd)

Michael Shou (15 years) – 200m freestyle (2nd)

Liam Celinski (16 years) – 100m butterfly (1st)

Kyle Lee (17+ years) – 200m individual medley (2nd)

Nathaniel Chong, Edward Lee, Alexander Song, Preston Zhou – 13 years relay (1st)

Edson Jia, Manny Keith, Lucas Ding, Jordan Yan – 14 years relay (2nd)

Terrence Li, Michael Shou, Albert Wang, Owen Zhang – 15 years relay (2nd)

Regional Swimming Carnival Results

Congratulations to Edward Lee (1st – 200m freestyle and 2nd – 100m breaststroke), Albert Wang (2nd – 100m breaststroke) and Lucas Ding (3rd – 100m backstroke) who have since qualified to swim in individual events at the CHS State Carnival next term. The 13 years relay team also progressed through to compete at the state carnival after finishing 3rd at the regional carnival. Well done to Nathaniel, Edward, Alexander and Preston.

Knockout Sport

Lawn Bowls – Anthony Fang, Aditya Goyal, Arjun Tomar and Jason Lin (all Year 10) represented the school at the recent Sydney North Regional bowls championships. The team combined very well to defeat Gosford HS and Kariong HS to progress to the semifinals stage, before being defeated by a strong Terrigal HS team.

Well done to the following teams who are still alive in the statewide knockout competition:

Tennis – The tennis team had a strong 6-0 victory against Killara HS and will now play Cherrybrook Technology HS in Round 3.

Volleyball – The volleyball team defeated Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus 2-0 and will progress to play Kincumber HS in the next round.

Representatives

Tennis – Paulson Ming (Year 11), Vincent Gong (Year 10), Zimin Lu (Year 10), Jet Ni (Year 8), Jay Shi (Year 8) and Andrew Xiao (Year 7) were all successful in gaining selection in Sydney North tennis teams and went on to represent the region at the NSWCHS Individual Championships. They are to be congratulated on their outstanding performances.

Football – Janin Jobi (Year 10) was selected for the North West Metropolitan Zone opens football team to play at the Sydney North Regional trials. Great work, Janin!

Golf – Benjamin Chao (Year 7) represented in the U/15s age group of the Sydney North Schools Golf championships at Everglades Country Club. Very well done, Benjamin!

Important Dates

School Cross Country Carnival

School Athletics Carnival

Zone Cross Country Carnival

Zone Athletics Carnival

Winter Grand Finals

Friday 3 May (Week 1, Term 2)

Friday 17 May (Week 3, Term 2)

Monday 27 May (Week 5, Term 2)

Thursday 27 June (Week 9, Term 2)

Wednesday 31 July (Week 2, Term 3)

CRICKET

Cricket 1st Grade

It was a good season for our 1st Grade cricketers this year. Many games were hard fought and a good mixture of wins throughout the season ensured high levels of motivation to finish the season strong. Many of the players in the team achieved milestones with individual performances, but as a team it was great to see the team finish the season with an opportunity to play in the Grand Final.

Unfortunately, we were unable to chase down the runs set by Normanhurst but to play in the Grand Final was a great reward for all the hard work as a team throughout the season.

Thank you to Shaan Brar for captaining and leading the team throughout the Grade Sport and State Knockout competitions. Thank you to the following students for their involvement across all competitions throughout the season; Param, Jaswant, Shray, Anagh, Maanav, Gosakan, Nand-Kishore, Arnav, Arjun, Aayan, Jayden, Nishok and Chandramoulee.

Cricket 14s by kabir kukreti, year 8

By no means was this season a less-than-average one. From great runs to awesome bowling figures, the NSBHS 14s cricket team made their way through the season in a manner not only encompassing the qualities of the fine sport itself, but embodying the Falcon Code in every game that we played, in every wicket that we got, in every wicket that we lost, in every run that we made and in every run the opposition scored. Through graceful wins, and close, humbling losses it can be certainly said that we all learnt valuable lessons and had great experiences.

Our net practices were a great environment, with each and every one of us giving each other constructive feedback, bowling each other out, smashing each other for boundaries.

The highlights of this season for me, weren’t the runs that we made, or the wickets and figures and statistics that people bother about. No. But it was the times and memories that we made when these good things happened.

I remember Taha Tahir - quite an exceptional player this season - bowled a shocking figure of 4/1 (For those non-cricket players that means he accumulated four wickets over his four overs bowled and only gave one run to the opposition).

I remember Shriyans Das, who struck one of the only sixes of the entire season with a banger over square leg in the opening overs of a match.

I remember the unbelievable come-back our team made in a match against Ashfield where everything seemed to be going downhill. Where after scoring a feeble 60 runs in 20 overs, we bowled the opposition all out for just 40 runs.

These are just a very few of the many events that gave this season its uniqueness.

But all of these are events that a team experiences in every season that they play.

However, something that I saw, that made me think of NSBHS as a community to be proud of belonging in, is that whether half the team walked off the pitch with a defeating duck (0 runs), or one man bowled a fifer (5 wickets) in just 3 overs, not only did we keep each other’s heads held high, but we held them high with grace and with humility.

For,

The tree laden with fruits is the one bent over.

LEAGUE TAG

The 2023/2024 League Tag 14s season was a range of emotions and experiences for our team. From the outset, we approached each match with determination. We celebrated our (few) victories with enthusiasm. However, the season was not without its challenges. There were moments of frustration and disappointment, where the outcome didn’t align with our aspirations. Yet it was during these tough times that our team truly came together, supporting each other and refusing to let setbacks hold us back.

As the season progressed, we underwent significant growth both as individual players and as a team. We honed our skills and learned to communicate effectively on the field. Our bond strengthened with each match, as we relied on each other’s strengths and rallied together in the face of adversity. Even though the season has ended, the memories and the bonds we formed will stay with us.

LEAGUE TAG 14S by ethan cai, year 9

LEAGUE TAG 15S by anthony fang, year 10

The 15’s league tag season was one full of intense competition and camaraderie. Our team had some great dynamics along with skills, whether it was Larry Shen’s speed, Luke Park’s intercepts or Daniel Lee’s agility. We believed that our team was the perfect combination to win a few more games than previous seasons after a huge win over Normanhurst in the opening round and a draw with Epping in the second round. However, with a few unlucky errors in games, we had a long streak of losses by small margins, yet our team was still committed to winning the next game in 30 plus degree heat, week in and week out. Although we didn’t make it to the finals, every single one of us was proud of the effort and commitment we put in as well as the memories we made along the way.

WATER POLO

GRADE WATER POLO 15S

Fresh off our water polo championship victory last summer, we went undefeated, triumphing over Epping’s 15s, 14s, and Normanhurst. However, our unbeaten streak came to an end when we faced Ashfield, losing in a closely contested match that provided valuable learning experiences for the boys. In subsequent encounters with Ashfield, we made sure to bounce back, securing victories in the next two matches.

The new season presented a challenge: two of our players moved to James Ruse, leaving us with only one substitute for the rest of the season. Our first match in 2024 was the semifinals, where the boys’ valiant efforts fell just 2 goals short of Epping, who ultimately clinched the league title. On a positive note, four boys from our team were selected for Crawford and Regional Knockouts in Gosford.

GRADE WATER POLO 14S

During last summer, our water polo team experienced a rollercoaster season. Although we didn’t maintain an undefeated record, we secured crucial wins against teams like Epping and Normanhurst. Our losses came in tightly contested matches, but they taught us valuable lessons that we applied in subsequent games. Despite facing challenges, the team demonstrated resilience and determination. In the semifinal, we fought hard but narrowly fell short by one goal against Epping, who secured our place in the finals.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball Opens by ryan shang, year 10

The North Sydney Boys’ volleyball team had an eventful season, showcasing dedication and resilience despite facing challenges on the court. The team, comprising key players Benjamin Boutkaska, Derek Chen, Julian Chiem, Brandon Cho, Aron Ji, Johram Kavianifar, Joseph Kim, Junseok (John) Lym, Jesse Oh, Runqian (Ryan) Shang, and Vincent Yeung, demonstrated excellent sportsmanship throughout the season. Despite our efforts, the team faced difficulties and losses in several games. However, we persevered with competitive spirit and determination in every match, striving to improve and learn from each experience. One standout moment of the season was the victory against Ashfield, where both the team’s and individual player’s skills had the opportunity to shine, securing a well-deserved win.

Overall, the North Sydney Boys volleyball team’s season was a testament to our dedication, teamwork, and resilience. We can take pride in their efforts and use this season as a learning experience to continue growing and improving in future competitions.

Volleyball 14s Daniel Zhao, Year 8

Being a part of the 14s NSB volleyball team has been an incredibly enriching experience for me. The weekly games and Wednesday morning trainings have not only allowed me to develop my skills as a volleyball player, but also helped me build my teamwork and communication abilities. The intense practice sessions have pushed me to improve my agility, endurance, and reaction time, which has helped me perform better on the court. The North Sydney Boys’ team spirit and camaraderie that we share have also been a great source of motivation and encouragement, making this journey all the more rewarding. We even made it to the finals against Epping Boys, however we didn’t secure the win. If you’re someone who plays volleyball as a hobby, feel free to join the school team, it’s an amazing experience!

Volleyball 1sts by Marcus Chu, Year 11

North Sydney Boys High School’s grade volleyball team capped off a remarkable season with a commendable fourth-place finish. Throughout the competition, the team consistently delivered strong performances, showcasing their talent and unwavering determination. While our championship dreams were ultimately dashed in a hard-fought semi-final against Epping Boys High (a recurring and tough opponent), the team’s overall performance deserves high praise. Every member, returning players, new recruits, and even our departing Year 12 favourite Tinlone, played a crucial role. The team spirit blossomed, fostering a deep sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship and creating lasting friendships between seniors and juniors.

Through victories and defeats, we learned to support each other on and off the court. While fourth place might leave a tinge of “what if,” the team’s achievements this season are truly commendable given this is a team of largely new players. This new team has laid a strong foundation for future success. With continued dedication from our players, and a focus on honing their skills, the North Sydney Boys grade volleyball team will certainly win the next season. We are looking forward to our victory!

BASKETBALL

OPENS BASKETBALL 1ST

The NSBHS First Grade basketball season can be characterised by high skill, hard work and camaraderie as the team progressed through to the semi-final stage of the season. Students gave their best efforts in weekly training sessions, developing new defensive and offensive approaches that were successfully implemented in games. Unfortunately, a loss to eventual champions Randwick Boys High School eliminated NSBHS from the competition. Top performers throughout the season were Ocean Armstrong, Kyle Lee, Daniel Zhang and Rico Zhong.

OPENS BASKETBALL 2NDS

The NSBHS Second Grade basketball team finished the season as CHAMPIONS!! This result is most impressive when considering the team was made up of Year 10, 11 and 12 students who had previously never played together. Each student displayed dedication and camaraderie as they applied themselves consistently to training and games to ensure they became a team that worked effectively together. This was highlighted in the grand final when the team put together a perfect display of aggressive and chaotic team defence to disrupt a highly skilled Normanhurst team and come away with a well-deserved overtime victory.

Special mention must also go to our graduating Year 12 students Sebastian Wei, Ian Robinson and Austin Hong who have been consistent contributors to NSBHS basketball. Thank you for your efforts!!!

BASKETBALL U15S by jim wang, year 10

As basketball is one of the most popular sports at NSBHS, many people attended the 3 weeks of trials in an attempt to be chosen for the 15s basketball team. These trials included vigorous drills and many scrimmages and eventually the following players were chosen: Terry Zhao, Oliver Banh, Linus Wang, Rain Huang, Daniel Jung, Jim Wang, David Trigas, Qanit Mubarak, James Ahn and Jerry Liang.

With a strong team, with Qanit and Oliver dominating the paint, Daniel and Linus facilitating the offence and Terry hitting threes and our key bench players, we won most of our games in the regular season, achieving the first seed for the semifinals. We faced Homebush Boys High School and won a tough semi-final battle, advancing to the finals. Unfortunately, after a tough back-and-forth game between us and Epping Boys High School in the finals, we lost in overtime. We will continue to represent our school in the 15s Combined High School Knockouts Tournament, and we will do our best to get as far as possible in this tournament.

BASKETBALL U14S by mason brown, year 8

The North Sydney Boys U14 basketball team had an exceptional run in the 2023-2024 season, going undefeated throughout and eventually winning the finals against Epping. It all started from the beginning – three gruesome and hard fought weeks of trials and drills, with many students across Years 7 and 8 trialling for a spot on the team. Once trials had concluded, the team consisted of: Mason Brown, Jayden Wang, Hayden Kong, Oscar Chen, Allen Ji, Lucas Zhao, Kiren Pillay, Adwyn Kang, Ethan Van Domselaar and Chris Yang, alongside our coach Mr Han.

Through the first few games, we built chemistry with all the players, knowing the starters and everyone’s purpose or unique playstyle that all contributed to our winning. We dominated teams in notable wins over Normanhurst by 50, Ashfield by 40, Homebush by 40, Randwick by 40, Asquith by 40 and Epping by 20. Our toughest game of the entire season was a close back and forth between Epping, where we were down most of the game but edged it out late for a close 1-point win. Despite a change of coaching, under the reigns of new coach Mr Renford, we beat Normanhurst dominantly in our semis and advanced to the finals to play Epping. In the championship game, we all played as a team which impacted the game, as we eventually ended up winning definitively in a 39-20 win, ending our season undefeated and champions.

FUTSAL

1st Grade by vikas gurram, year 10

The 1st Grade Futsal team, despite many losses and various injuries, completed the season. We discovered that the grade season is not only about the victories but the friendships that we made over the different year groups.

The dynamic duo, Vikas Gurram and Rei Tohara, were the primary goal scorers showcasing their tricks and flair, beating the defenders of the other team. While playing our games, the incredible support from the sidelines of Ko Tohara and Timothy Chau really helped us through difficult games where it seemed as though we were going to lose. This offense was supported by the unbreakable defense of Alwyn Zhou, Alex Ho, Derek Liu, Aaron Tian and Justin Pui.

2ND GRADE by janin jobi & Rhys mitchell, year 10

In our 2nd Grade Futsal season, triumph defined our journey as we clinched victory, emerging as champions. With unwavering dedication and relentless teamwork, we navigated each match with precision and passion. Despite the odds, our resilience remained steadfast, allowing us to conquer the formidable opponents.

The season witnessed our exceptional skills and strategic prowess, leading to a remarkable winning streak with only one solitary loss throughout. Every player contributed their utmost, displaying camaraderie and determination, forging an invincible spirit on and off the court. This triumph symbolises not just a victory, but a testament to our unity, perseverance and how we soared through the sky representing the school. Congratulations to Janin Jobi, Zach Mendoza, Rhys Mitchell, Owen Lee, Bruce Xu, Dennis Chau, Rhys Lau, Adam Ning and Timothy Pham.

ULTIMATE FRISBEE

15A Ultimate Frisbee

We met at Meadowbank most Wednesdays, The weather never wondered who it was, Hot, sunny and humid, surrounded by plenty of flies.

Our team, well we had some wins, and some losses too.

The flick of a wrist, saw our frisbee take flight, points on the board, saw our team smile in delight.

During halftime, we would plan our next move, blocking our opponents from getting into their groove.

Friendships were forged on the field of flames, We didn’t come out on top, there was no one to blame, The whistle blew, and we packed up our bags, onto the next season

Winners we became.

Ultimate Frisbee 2nd Grade by shize liu, year 12

My experience with Ultimate has been incredibly exciting and rewarding. Ultimate has taught me so much about teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. One of the things I love most about Ultimate is how it brings people together. I’ve made friends with my teammates and learned the importance of working together towards a common goal. Whether we’re passing the disc or strategizing during a game, I’ve discovered the power of collaboration and communication.

Throughout my time in Ultimate, I’ve also learned the value of perseverance. There were times when I felt frustrated or discouraged, especially when learning new skills or facing tough opponents. But with the support of my coaches and teammates, I’ve learned to keep pushing myself and staying positive. I’ve seen firsthand how hard work and dedication can lead to improvement and success.

Moreover, Ultimate has taught me important lessons about sportsmanship and respect. Whether we win or lose, I’ve learned to shake hands with my opponents and show appreciation for the game. I’ve learned that winning isn’t everything and that the true joy of sports comes from playing with integrity and respect for others.

Overall, my experience in Ultimate has been unforgettable. I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned, the friendships I’ve made, and the memories created.

SQUASH

GRADE SQUASH by brendan boomla, year 11

On Wednesday 28 February 2024, the North Sydney Boys High School Grade Squash teams competed in the finals at Thornleigh Squash Centre. Throughout the season, our Grade Squash teams showcased exceptional talent and determination, culminating in an impressive performance at the finals of the North West Metropolitan Boys.

The school’s four teams, namely 1sts, 2nds, 15s and 14s, composed of students from various grades, displayed remarkable skill and determination facing off against Normanhurst Boys. We fought hard against Normanhurst, and all four teams emerged victorious. Notably, the 14s team demonstrated an outstanding performance by conceding only one game out of eight.

Overall, this was a great result and we have successfully defended our championship titles from last year. We aim to continue this success in the future and extend a warm invitation to junior players to carry forward this legacy.

Looking ahead, the squash team sets its sights on the upcoming knockouts and maintaining our position as the third-best school in the state, as achieved last year. We would like to express our gratitude to organising teachers Mr. Umakanthan and Mr. Croan, for their assistance and support in making this possible.

For those interested in playing squash, Falcon Squash offers sessions every Tuesday and Friday from 4-5 pm at Willoughby Squash Centre, providing an opportunity for enthusiasts of all skill levels to participate in this fun and fast-paced sport.

CRAWFORD SHIELD

BY PAUL KENNEDY

Hosting the Crawford Shield in 2024 was an enriching and exciting experience for the boys involved and the broader school community. Our annual competition with Melbourne High School resumed in 2023 after a significant period of postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those students who made the trip to Melbourne to compete in 2023 forged strong bonds with their host brothers and achieved some great success on the field, but ultimately came home deflated with MHS claiming the overall victory. To say they were hungry to take back the Shield is an understatement. Our boys approached the challenge of preparation in 2024 with the determination and camaraderie that has come to typify our great school. After a thrilling 2 days of competition across 12 diverse events where both teams comported themselves with outstanding sportsmanship, it was our squad captain Shaan Brar (Year 12) who lifted the coveted Shield and brought it back to North Sydney Boys High School.

Sincere thanks must go to the NSB staff of coaches who provided guidance and inspiration and sacrificed time on a regular basis to prepare the boys for competition, as well as those staff who assisted with the many facets of organisation required to make the event run smoothly. This gratitude is extended to the P&C canteen staff who did an incredible job of feeding the Crawford teachers from MHS and NSB on both Monday and Tuesday, and to our Auxiliary who surprised competitors from both schools with a delicious home cooked lunch on Monday. Lastly, it was the overwhelming generosity displayed by the families of our Crawford squad members in opening their homes to the travelling students from MHS that made the biggest impression on our guests. This significant gesture of hospitality is ultimately of more value than the competition result, as it makes the cultural exchange so meaningful for our boys and is integral in keeping this wonderful tradition alive.

CRICKET

BY SHAAN BRAR - YEAR 12

Crawford Cricket, although it produced an unpleasant result for us, provided both Melbourne & North Sydney cricket teams with memorable, once in a lifetime experiences. These memories didn’t begin & end on the cricket pitch, rather were forged on our trips throughout Sydney. Ranging from getting lost in the town hall Westfield, to running after a light rail to get back one of the Melbourne High student’s phone after he left it on, we had lots of fun both on & off the pitch.

As a collective cricket team, NSB trained tirelessly during training sessions, but also outside of school, practising throughout the summer holidays. We started the game by losing the toss, and being sent in to bowl by MHS, which we then followed with 3 early wickets, and the score being 3/7, a very good start for us. Unfortunately, the game started to slip away from us after this, with Melbourne having two very strong partnerships which allowed them to end up getting a total of 210 runs, however we still had an impressive performance from our vice-captain Param as he took 5/27. We were then sent in to bat with 45 minutes left of play on the first day, and had a shaky start, ending the day at 3/15, losing multiple batters cheaply at the start. As an innings break, we all went to the beach to relax, taking a night-time ferry which left our billets mesmerised by the beauty of Sydney’s night views.

The following day, continuing on with our innings, they scalped a quick wicket, however Gosakan & Jaswant stood firm for the majority of the innings. After both of them got out, our batting unfortunately collapsed as we ended all out for 120 runs. Although the result doesn’t show it, I’m sure our boys put in the effort required as Crawford competitors. Cricket is all about the flow of the game, and the momentum just got ahead of us. Nonetheless, the Crawford cricket competition was an extremely enjoyable experience for all players involved, with both teams bonding during our time exploring the city and also held an intense & focused competition within our game. Ultimately, as a team we are thankful to be granted such a privilege to maintain the relationship our schools have held for 65 years, but we are hopeful that in future years our cricket team comes out on top.

VOLLEYBALL

BY TINLONE CHENG - YEAR 12

I hope watching the first year of Crawford volleyball was as fun and intense for our audience as it was for our team to play - my throat still hurts from all the scream.., I mean, energy.

Unfortunately, we lost 0.5-2.5 despite weekly trainingMelbourne were a strong team! We took 3 out of 8 sets and all the sets were really close, with scorelines like 20-25, 22-25. I hosted Will Cao from Melbourne, one of their three setters, who arrived on Sunday and got injured on Monday, having to wait in the hospital for 4 hours.

Thankfully, we still got to fulfill his curiosity about Burwood Chinatown’s neon lights and food, also his x-ray didn’t show anything too serious which was a relief. I speak for the whole team when I say that we really enjoyed and grew from the challenge Melbourne provided us.

FUTSAL

BY KO TOHARA - YEAR 12

Coming off of a rather unsuccessful trip to Melbourne last year, the futsal team was extremely determined to grasp the win and retrieve the Crawford Shield. Despite numerous last minute injuries and the unexpected absence of Mr Renford a week prior to the game, the boys showed strong character as they overcame such adversities, training extremely hard for the games which proved fruitful as we came off on top with very convincing wins across all three games with scores of 4-3, 10-2 and 10-3. Throughout the two days of Crawford competition, the boys heavily committed themselves to each and every game, producing extremely entertaining and memorable wins, with non-stop end-to-end action lasting from the very start to the very last second of all the games, all the while demonstrating great sportsmanship across the competition.

In front of a sizeable audience, the players put everything on the line for the win, with our impenetrable defenders Dennis Chau, Oliver Lee and Rhys Mitchell, throwing their bodies to make blocks, which when paired with the numerous acrobatic-reaction saves from “The Wall”, our keeper, Justin Pui, made it near impossible for Melbourne to score. It was raining goals on the other end of the field, with countless creative attacks led by the Year 10 flair trio of Vikas Guram, Rei Tohara and the Futsal MVP Janin Jobi, which was only boosted by mesmerising dribbles from Rhys Lau (who also starred with his Marimba performance in Crawford Music), and Timothy Pham’s ceaseless sprinting as he hunted for his elusive Crawford goal. All of this was topped off by Owen Lee’s passionate guidance from the sidelines as well as a celebrity appearance from Bruce Xu in Game 3, concluding an extremely competitive and entertaining display, securing an important win in futsal over Melbourne High School.

The boys’ commitment and sportsmanship heavily contributed to not only winning the Futsal games but also in rescuing the Crawford Shield, which has finally been retrieved to its rightful place in Sydney. Finally, I and the rest of the futsal team would like to massively thank Mr Renford for his organisation of all the training sessions, and his unwavering support for the team which undoubtedly enabled us to conquer Melbourne High School’s futsal team.

BASKETBALL

BY KYLE LEE - YEAR 11

Off the court, the North Sydney Basketball team had created a special bond with the Melbourne High School students. Some of us knew each other from last year’s Crawford Shield, while others were strangers at the start. But through shared experiences, laughter, and moments of discovery, we’ve become more than just opponents, we’ve become friends.

The experiences that we shared together consisted of trips to the beach, exploring the vibrant city of Sydney and even flying across the waters of Sydney Harbour on our iconic ferries. Most importantly, we had the opportunity to show our Melbourne counterparts what Sydney is truly about.

However, on the court, we definitely faced some challenges. There were certainly some disadvantages that our team immediately recognised as we faced Melbourne, but that didn’t set us back from playing the game of basketball. After a gruelling match in game 1, we unfortunately faced a loss to Melbourne High. However, the loss didn’t bring us down, but instead, we focused on our strengths and rallied together as a team. Yet, game 2 came to a loss once again.

Despite the outcome of the games, what mattered the most is the privilege we had in partaking of the Crawford Shield experience, and it is pretty clear our boys definitely had fun. Through the experience of billeting another student, the memories we share and the hard-fought games we had together, we will forever cherish the Crawford Shield experience of 2024, and we already look forward with excitement for Crawford 2025, where we will win Crawford basketball!

LAWN BALLS

BY ANTHONY FANG - YEAR 10

Crawford Lawn Bowls, a sport not lost by NSBHS since 2003you’d be hard-pressed to find another sport with such a winning streak! Which presumably means we get the loudest applause during the assemblies, doesn’t it? This was the motivation for our team and motivation for training. After all, we wanted to continue the winning streak. So we trained, every Thursday for an hour under the blistering hot sun week after week until Crawford. When the competition finally rolled around, we were ready not just individually, but as a group.

Over the preceding weekend our billets arrived, and we took them to various places around the city including the CBD, Bondi Beach and Chatswood. Overall, we had a memorable time with our billets and all of us appreciated the chance to exchange stories, laughs and good-natured humour with our Melbourne billets- including double-decker trains, agreeable weather, and Sydney’s many attractions.

Once game day arrived, the rivalry was on as our team drew 1-1 for day one leading into a much more intense second day. On the second day, down and out and behind 10-1, 10-2 and 8-4 in our games, we rallied together and realised we could win the shield. Applying pressure to the opposition, through our best efforts matched by a series of rare mistakes from the Melbourne boys, meant we won 2-1 on that second day, thus winning the trophy overall 3-2 and continuing the winning streak to 21 years. We hope to continue this next year, as this is certainly NSB’s most competitive sport.

DEBATING

BY JERRY YUAN - YEAR 12

Crawford Debating was a journey that honestly had ups and downs. We started off strong, welcoming the boys from Melbourne to our Sydney lives (albeit they seemed slightly disappointed after going to school in a castle), taking them around the city on Sunday, playing pool, and experiencing our definition of the “Sydney experience”.

Preparation for debating was a unique experience. Usually equipped with one hour in a separate room we now had the whole day with our billets peering around the corner. A late night discord call was vital in our team’s synchronization, ultimately leading the team to work together better than ever, piecing together a strategic and debate-winning case. This was affirmed in our first round victory where we argued against AI’s effectiveness within schools.

The second impromptu round was a tougher job where our task was to propose the overruling of parents by doctors in providing medical treatment. We put our heads down in the critical moments and constructed a strong argument but unfortunately came short of sealing a 2-0 victory.

Ultimately the debating competition fell to a close points victory across the two debates, which made our efforts all the more something to be proud of. I am extremely proud of my team’s efforts and I am confident that we can go the full distance in the state competition this year.

TABLE TENNIS

BY MICHAEL REN - YEAR 11

Our journey to the Crawford Shield representing North Sydney Boys High School was a dynamic testament to the spirit and resilience of a table tennis team. In the lead-up to the competition, we diligently honed our skills, strengthened our bonds, and prepared to showcase our prowess on the court. Hosting billets from Melbourne High provided us with a unique opportunity to connect beyond the confines of competition, fostering friendships that would fuel our determination throughout the tournament.

As billets, we proudly represented our school’s table tennis team, extending hospitality and sharing experiences with our guests. These interactions not only enriched our understanding of our opponents but also strengthened our resolve to compete at our best.

Throughout the tournament, we faced formidable challenges. Some matches tested our strength, while others slipped through our grasp. Yet, as a team, we refused to be deterred. Each setback fuelled our determination to push harder and fight smarter.

But when the decisive moments arrived, we stood tall as a team ready to give our all on the court. Despite the challenge we faced, we emerged triumphant with an 8-4 victory over Melbourne High. Our success was a testament not as much to our talents as to the unwavering strength and unity of our table tennis team.

Reflecting on our journey to the Crawford Shield, we take pride in the resilience, determination, and camaraderie that define our table tennis team. Our victory celebrates the spirit and dedication that propel us forward, aspiring for greatness both on and off the court.

TENNIS

BY AARON TIAN - YEAR 12

The Crawford Tennis season started a little shaky, with some members figuring out their billeting situations and other school events clashing with the training sessions. As some of the members hadn’t met prior to this, things weren’t looking favourable to say the least. Yet, as time went on, we found times to train and it was only through these rigorous practice sessions in which we would forge a strong bond as a team, fostering an encouraging environment of mutual support.

Throughout the competition days our team (consisting of myself Aaron Tian, Zimin Lu, Vincent Chen and Andrew Xue) performed with precision and passion allowing us to win the matches on the first day in a spectacular performance of very tight scorelines. Although the competition on the second day wasn’t as exhilarating, due to some of the matches being forfeited due to unfortunate injuries from the MHS team, it was still challenging and fun, and overall presented NSBHS as the winners.

But aside from the competition itself, the most memorable aspect of the entire Crawford journey was the billeting experience, where being able to host someone your own age with similar interests that grew up in a different environment turns out to be extremely rewarding. As you take them around the city and immerse yourself in lively conversations, we formed those lasting friendships which transcend geographical boundaries that characterises the Crawford experience.

BADMINTON

BY RISHI MAYUR - YEAR 11

Preparation:

Our journey to the Crawford Cup was a rigorous one. We spent months practicing and refining our skills, knowing that the competition would be tough. We focused on improving our strategies, honing our techniques, and building our teamwork to ensure we were ready to face any challenge.

Billeting:

On the Sunday before our competition, we toured the Sydney CBD with our Melburnian billets, showing them our amazing city, and we exchanged banter about who was going to win the prestigious Crawford Shield. During their three day stay, we forged a lasting friendship that I’m sure will stay with me and the other NSBs for a very long time.

Competition:

Facing Melbourne High School in the Crawford Cup was an exhilarating experience. Both badminton teams brought their A-game, and the intensity on the court was palpable. Every match was fiercely contested, with both teams giving it their all. Despite the pressure, we remained focused and determined, relying on our training and trust in each other.

Result:

In the end, the result was a hard-fought draw, with both teams winning three matches each. While we would have loved to come out on top, we’re proud of our performance and the effort we put in. It was a testament to our dedication and teamwork, and we’ll carry the lessons learned from this experience into our future competitions.

WATERPOLO

CHESS

BY ERIC PEILIN LIU - YEAR 12

Ever since the Crawford Chess Team was selected through a series of challenging matches (and senior priority), we knew that we could and would beat Melbourne, training every Thursday (with the help of Mr Parker’s encouragement/room) to hone our skills and maintain our confidence in ourselves.

Soon, Melbourne arrived, and we invited them into our homes. In the few days we had with our billets, we experienced many new things, made more chess friends, and learnt about the traditions and culture of Melbourne. We learnt of their lifestyles, and discussed the journeys and experiences that shape us. We even created new lifelong stories for us to remember!

In the end, the most important thing is that we all enjoyed ourselves and although we will be graduating, we look forward to this tradition, and hopefully the winning streak, continuing.

BY ANTHONY IVANOV

Despite how it may seem, in Crawford competition, the water intensively training for the upcoming planning for team events to host a wonderful experience to the vividly remember the Thursday before Crawford, when our team brainstorm potential places to of the suggestions was to go to on, deciding to show the Melbourne beaches and host a barbeque students were ecstatic, we had the subsequent barbeque was part of the day was the trip on providing an excellent view of

On the actual game day, things Having two crushing defeats the top of our ability and maintained throughout the games. However, was a lot closer (6-6 with my team and we had a lot more fun students as well as testing the

Overall, the Crawford exchange opportunities for our team to bonds with Melbourne High students Now all we can do is train, ask to perform even better in the coming

WATERPOLO

IVANOV - YEAR 12

in the weeks leading up to the water polo team was not only upcoming event, but also carefully host with billets in order to provide the Melbourne High students. I Thursday lunchtime meeting, two days team was using all their power to go on Sunday with our team. One to Manly beach, which we settled Melbourne students the Sydney barbeque near there. The Melbourne had a great time at the beach and was fantastic! Our team’s favourite on the ferry to and from Manly, Darling Harbour and the ocean.

things weren’t as fun for our team. (10-0, 12-1), we still played at maintained a high level of effort However, on the second day the game team losing on penalty shootouts), bonding with the Melbourne limits of our team.

exchange brought a bunch of great to test our limits and forge new students which we are grateful for. for a pool, and have fun in order coming years.

MUSIC

BY ETHAN HUANG & JOSHUA LAU - YEAR 12

Straight into the action at 10am, the Crawford Music competition, despite being comparatively shorter than other disciplines in length, was a showcase of years of practice and perseverance, culminating in an outstanding display of performance ability and individual expression from both North Sydney Boys and Melbourne High School students. This involved three soloists from each school who presented one performance each and were adjudicated against criteria including fluency, technique, expression and musical interpretation.

Our performers were Henry Liu who played the tranquil Liszt Paysage with innate expression and musical flair, followed by Rhys Lau with Rosauro’s Prelude No. 1 which showcased incredible performance ability on the marimba. NSB’s set was then concluded by Ethan Huang with the more tumultuous Moments of Plastic Jubilation by Matthew Hindson. Following the competition, all participating members of Crawford music from both schools united to play jazz ensemble works, each on their respective instruments, including Michael Bublé’s Haven’t Met You Yet and Don McLean’s American Pie, which was a new experience for many of us.

We all developed a strong friendship with the Melbourne students through the billeting process where we each hosted a student and participated in a cultural exchange. We learnt about Melbourne culture while also sharing our local lifestyle and showing our billets around Sydney. This culminated in a very enjoyable day trip around Sydney where we showed the Melbourne students landmarks such as the Town Hall, Harbour Bridge and of course, the Opera House. We then travelled by ferry to Manly Beach where we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with the Melbourne boys.

On behalf of the entire team, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Grimley and Mr. Kennedy for their pivotal roles in organising this exchange. Their efforts have led to a unanimously unique, educational, and friendly experience, fostering a mutual comradeship between our schools.