Falcon Bulletin - Issue 07

O c t 24

F a l c o n

B u l l e t i n

IS S UE 7 Winter S po r t

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Table of Contents

Winter Sport

04

Student Reports: Lawn Balls

10

Table Tennis

12

Tennis 14 Soccer 20 Badminton 36

WINTER SPORT

BY RICHARD CROAN

Grand finals for North West Metropolitan Zone winter competitions were played on Wednesday 31st July, with six North Sydney teams qualifying to play in the premiership deciders.

Congratulations to all team members who participated in the finals, especially to the 1st grade badminton team and the 1st grade, 2nd grade and 15s tennis teams who were named premiers for the 2024 winter season.

2024 Winter Grand Finals Tennis 1st 2nd 15 14

North Sydney North Sydney North Sydney Normanhurst

Badminton 1st North Sydney 2nd Epping

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def. def. def. def.

Normanhurst Epping Epping North Sydney

5-1 5-1 5-1 6-0

def. Epping def. North Sydney

3-3 6-0

Falcon Bulletin

Winter Grade Sport - Best and Fairest

Zone Cross Country

The following boys have been acknowledged for their outstanding contributions during the 2024 winter grade sport season by being recognised as ‘Best & Fairest’ for their teams:

Well done to the NSB Cross Country team, which represented the school at the North West Metropolitan Zone carnival. A combined effort on the day resulted in the team finishing 3rd overall, behind Epping BHS and Asqutih BHS.

1st Grade Soccer 2nd Grade Soccer 3rd Grade Soccer 4th Grade Soccer 5th Grade Soccer 6th Grade Soccer 15As Soccer 15Bs Soccer 14As Soccer 14Bs Soccer 13As Soccer 13Bs Soccer 13Cs Soccer 1st Grade Tennis 2nd Grade Tennis 15s Tennis 14s Tennis 1st Grade Table Tennis 2nd Grade Table Tennis 15s Table Tennis 14s Table Tennis 1st Grade Lawn Bowls 15s Lawn Bowls 1st Grade Badminton 2nd Grade Badminton 15s Badminton

Brendan Boomla Timothy Pham Dylan Nestel Patrick Seo Ethan Wang Theodore Sanuri Qanit Mubarak Terry Zhao Omar Haque Ivan Zhang Wayne He Juwon Lee Henry Mao Neo Xu Vincent Chen Jay Shi Benjamin Chao Aland Pham James Huang Ethan Koh Aarin Pramanick Zhan Luo Hamish Lee Rishi Mayur Owen Zhang Lincoln Yeung

11 11 11 10 11 10 9 9 8 8 7 7 7 9 11 8 7 9 10 8 7 11 10 11 9 9

Thank you to the following students who demonstrated outstanding effort and represented the school with distinction.

12 Years Justin Lau Ulysses Lindquist Aarin Pramanick William Gu

13 Years Jay Shi Jake Fry Ethan Kato Nathaniel Chong Jet Ni Ryan Sun Lance Xie

14 Years Will Raphael Ethan Hemming Araz Fathollahzadeh Aghdam Ian Wang Jonti Evers Nathan Chan Lucas Zhou

15 Years Albert Wang Yisen Pan Raphael Susanto Thomas Zhang Qanit Mubarak Matthew Lei Edwin Pang James Ahn

16 Years Jack Li Boutkaska Victor Qian Castor Li Dennis Chau Agastya Katamaneni Aizen Tam

17 Years Paulson Ming Rhys Lau Anthony Ivanov William Guan Kyle Lee Kevin Ding Bruce Xu

18 Years Jaiden Hugh Daniel Zhang Niall Boomla

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Some standout North Sydney performers who placed in the ‘Top 10’ at the zone cross country carnival earned selection in the North West Metropolitan Zone team to compete at the regional carnival at Wyong Racecourse.

Sydney North Regional Cross Country Carnival (placings) 12 years 13 years 16 years 17 years

Justin Lau (42nd) Jay Shi (29th) Benjamin Boutkaksa (28th) Rhys Lau (23rd) Paulson Ming (30th)

Athletics Champions Congratulations to the following boys who were named Athletics Age Champions for 2024 as a result of their outstanding performances at the NSBHS school carnival.

12 years 13 years 14 years 15 years 16 years 17+ years

AGE CHAMPION Justin Lau (Y7) Alexander Song (Y8) Omar Haque (Y8) Thomas Zhang (Y9) Austin Tang (Y10) Vincent Widjaya (Y10)

RUNNER- UP Riley Qiao (Y7) Jay Shi (Y8) Will Raphael (Y8) Rhys Mitchell (Y10) Benjamin Boutkaksa (Y10) Wilson Qu (Y10)

Zone Athletics Carnival The North Sydney Boys HS athletics team was made up of 70 students who represented the school at Sydney Olympic Athletics Centre.

The team finished an impressive 2nd overall and some excellent performers on the day were rewarded by qualifying for the Sydney North Regional Athletics Carnival in both individual and relay team events.

Regional Athletics Carnival Representatives (Zone carnival placings) Justin Lau (12 years) – 100 metres (1st), 200 metres (1st) and Long jump (2nd) Princeton Ye (12 years) – Shot put (2nd) Adwyn Kang (13 years) – Shot put (2nd) Alexander Song (13 years) – Long jump (1st), 100 metres (2nd), 200 metres (2nd) and Hurdles (2nd)

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Falcon Bulletin

Omar Haque (14 years) – Hurdles (1st) and Javelin (1st) Will Rapheal (14 years) – 400 metres (1st) Thomas Zhang (15 years) – Hurdles (1st) Rhys Sung (15 years) – Hurdles (2nd) Daniel Jung (15 years) – 800 metres (2nd) Edwin Kim (15 years) – High jump (2nd) Larry Shen (15 years) – 200 metres (1st) Sean Li (15 years) – Triple jump (2nd) Wilson Qu (17+ years) – 800 metres (2nd) Luke Feng, Max Huo, Justin Lau and Riley Qiao – 12 years relay (2nd) Thomas Zhang, Rain Huang, Larry Shen and Ryan Zhong – 15 years relay (1st) CHS State Athletics Championships - Results NSB’s top performing athletes in 2024 were Justin Lau (8th in the 200 metres), Alexander Song (6th in the hurdles) and Omar Haque (5th in the Javelin), who all qualified to compete at the CHS State Athletics carnival in individual events.

CHS State-wide Knockout Competitions Some of the North Sydney Boys’ CHS Knockout teams have had another successful year. Well done to all of the students who have contributed to these outstanding results.

The Knockout Table Tennis team made it through to be narrowly defeated in the Sydney North semifinals. The team was made up of Nathan Chan (Year 8), Andrew Li (Year 8), Michael Ren (Year 11) and Alan Tran (Year 11) For the third consecutive year, the Knockout Squash team qualified to play in the final four of the statewide competition.

The team competed in a round robin format against Castle Hill HS, Chatswood HS and Parkes HS. It was great to see the team improve on their previous placings by finishing 2nd on the day, with team members being awarded a CHS Silver medal for their achievement.

Congratulations to Niall Boomla (Year 12), Ryan Chen (Year 12), Brendan Boomla (Year 11), Sean Sehu (Year 9) and Hugo Woon (Year 9).

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Representative Sport Tennis – Andrew Xiao (Year 7) was selected in the Opens tennis team to represent Sydney North region at the N.S.W.C.H.S State Championships. This is an impressive achievement for Andrew considering the selections and competition were for all age players. He had a very successful week winning all of his singles matches and 5 out of 6 doubles matches, helping the team finish 2nd and securing a CHS Silver medal. Congratulations Andrew!

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Falcon Bulletin

PAGE 09

1ST GRADE LAWN BALLS

BY ARJUN TOMAR The 2024 winter season was great for the NSBHS lawn bowls team. It started with many people trying out for the team, but only a few made it. While most had little to no prior experience, the season turned out to be a rewarding journey, and we all learned some valuable skills.

In the beginning, most were unfamiliar with the rules, techniques, and strategy required in lawn bowls, making the first few games challenging. However, as the season progressed, everyone improved significantly. We developed better control over our bowls, learned how to adjust to different weather conditions, and started to understand the tactical aspects of the game, as well as what each person was good at.

The camaraderie among players was another key highlight. We supported each other through our mistakes and celebrated the small victories, fostering a strong sense of teamwork. By the end of the season, the difference in skill and confidence was noticeable, and we made it to the semi-finals, losing by only a tiny margin.

Even though this was my first season playing lawn bowls, it was a very enjoyable experience, and I, as well as my teammates, learned a lot and had a great time.

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U15 LAWN BALLS

BY HAMISH LEE The lawn bowls season was an eventful one, providing an opportunity to strengthen camaraderie, respect, and integrity through sport. Zahn Luo, for example, demonstrated exceptional precision and calm under pressure, through strategic gameplay. One of his most memorable moments came in a blow-out game against Epping, where he consistently put points on the board, making it difficult for Epping to score.

These matches highlight not only the skill and focus required but also the sportsmanship and mutual respect that define the game. Generally, all players played exceptionally, demonstrating great skill, focus and sportsmanship throughout the competition, making each match a true display of talent and camaraderie

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1ST GRADE TABLE TENNIS

BY ALAND PHAM This year’s school table tennis season was an extremely fun experience. From the first practice to the final matches, we all had many fun and exciting moments.

The season started with tryouts, where players of various skill levels - some serious players, others just excited to give it a shot - made the team. Many people tried out because they regularly played on the new outdoor table tennis tables.

During the season, we had many wins and some losses as well as practice time, where many players learnt new table tennis skills with more experienced players teaching and practicing with others.

During matches against other schools, we had to work as a team to win against other schools. Even though there were many games we lost we still had a great time and improved.

Some of our teams made it to the semifinals but unfortunately were defeated.

By the end of the season, everyone had made new friends, bonded over shared experiences, and new memories made.

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2ND GRADE TABLE TENNIS

BY JAMES HUANG Being part of the 2nd grade table tennis team was my first real involvement in competitive sports at school, and it was a rewarding new experience. For our team, the highlight of the season was our 7-game victory over Epping. That was an exceptionally long and intense match that tested our resilience. Although we narrowly missed the semi-finals, I’ll always look back on this season with pride and fond memories, as it introduced me to many new people across schools and strengthened my bond with my teammates.

The 1st Grade, 15s and 14s also performed considerably well, especially the many newly minted junior table tennis players having their first interschool experience, who quickly adapted to the competitive environment. All teams secured solid victories, though most notably, the 1st grade team impressed us all early in the season with a strong comeback win against would-be premiership winners, Normanhurst, and making it to the semi-finals.

The 15s team had two of their most talented players step up to play in the Opens competition, but still managed standout wins against Asquith. The 14s team won matches against Ashfield and Epping and made the semi-finals. A couple of students from the junior team, Aarin Pramanick and Ethan Koh, even filled in for the 1st grade team in their match against Homebush and managed to secure wins!

All in all, the 2024 season proved the skill, resilience and dedication of both our established players and new players, reflecting the exceptional teamwork within the Falcon spirit.

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1ST GRADE TENNIS

BY NEO XU During the winter sports season, the North Sydney Boys tennis team, consisting of players Zimin Lu, Neo Xu, Vincent Gong, Jack Li and Paulson Ming, made an outstanding start with decisive victories over their opponents. We opened the season with a clear demonstration of the team’s skill, strategy, and adherence to the Falcon values. From the outset, it was clear that the North Sydney boys were well-prepared and eager to showcase their talents.

The players executed their game plan with precision, leveraging their strengths and adapting swiftly to their opponents’ strategies.

Our serves were powerful and accurate, and our returns were consistently sharp, showcasing a high level of technical skill and court awareness. The match was marked by intense rallies and strategic plays that kept the spectators enthralled by the showcase.

Beyond our technical prowess, the team also made sure that we played with our school values. Integrity, respect, and sportsmanship were top priority. We demonstrated respect for their opponents and the officials, upholding the highest standards of fair play even in the heat of competition. We supported each other with encouragement, reflecting our strong sense of teamwork and unity.

The victory was not just a testament to the team’s athletic ability but also to our character and dedication to the principles they represent. As we celebrated our final win, it was clear that this successful run was built on a foundation of hard work, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to excellence.

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2ND GRADE TENNIS

BY VINENT CHEN Sharing a part of the 2024 winter campaign of the Opens 2nds Tennis team, it’s a privilege to reflect on this incredible season filled with triumphs, challenges, and unforgettable memories. Our strong team consisted of Vincent Chen, Andrew Xue, Imran Shabeer, Jay Chen and Elliot Ma. Through rigorous training, and commitment and camaraderie from every member of the team, our bond as a team strengthened as we competed intensely to achieve a record of no losses, against extremely tough opponents.

However, despite the great results, our team faced significant challenges throughout the season. Overcoming season-ending injuries for several of our key players was a testament to the strength and resilience of this team.

After an arduous season where we shared laughter, moments of frustration, but most importantly, an unwavering belief in one another, we reached the semi-finals, where we easily beat Normanhurst Boys. In a nail-biting grand final, where we faced the formidable Epping Boys, our incredible team was able to clinch a narrow 6-0 win.

Year-round, every team member was determined to give their best, and that determination shone through in every practice and match. We’ve grown together as a team, improving our skill and teamwork, and the championship is a testament to our progress.

And finally, I would like to give a thank you to Mr Berry for his invaluable guidance and support throughout this season, as well as Andrew, Jay, Imran and Elliot for an amazing final season of sport.

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Falcon Bulletin

PAGE 17

U14 TENNIS

BY JOSHUA NG Joining the 14s Tennis team during the Winter Sport season was one of the best decisions I have ever made during my time at NSBHS. Competing against other schools while playing my favourite sport was a dream come true, and as I stepped onto the court each week my excitement and anticipation only grew. Each match was a fresh opportunity to challenge myself, improve my skills, and bond with my teammates. The camaraderie we built created memories that I’ll cherish forever. From the comforting of losses to the celebration of victories, this was truly a memorable experience.

Not only did this opportunity allow me to enhance my tennis skills, but I also learned valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Our coaches were incredible, offering guidance and encouragement that pushed us to reach our full potential. The chance to compete against others my level only fueled my passion for this sport.

Our team made it to the finals of this competition, before eventually suffering a loss to Normanhurst. Although this was unfortunate, the friends I made along the way and the skills I enhanced enabled me to forget about this loss quite quickly. Overall, being part of the 14s Tennis team has profoundly shaped my experience at NSBHS. It has ignited a deeper passion for the sport and instilled in me a sense of dedication and teamwork that I will carry with me for years to come. I can’t wait for the next season and the new adventures that await!

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U15 TENNIS

BY JAY SHI Throughout the 2023-2024 winter season, the 15s and under tennis team consisting of Andrew, Jet, Daniel, Dylan, and I demonstrated strong camaraderie to achieve victory in the competition, going undefeated in all the matches.

Combining grit and tenacity, we committed diligently to face-off against our competitors whilst upholding the Falcon Code every step of the way, forming long-term friendships that would last a life-time.

We also made significant leaps and bounds in our performance as the competition progressed, adapting and mastering our skill sets to flourish in the competitive environment and displaying outstanding sportsmanship to the other schools.

With these facets in mind, the season was both enjoyable and thrilling to participate in. It also forged confirmed friendships, and reshaped us as more confident tennis players. A big shout-out to Ms Hou, whose persisting support and coordination allowed us to be able to thrive and improve in the season.

In conclusion, the 2023-2024 15s and under tennis season formed itself to become a delightful and exhilarating experience, and I am convinced that the seasons that follow will also emerge with the same level of merriment.

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1ST GRADE SOCCER

BY BRENDAN BOOMLA The 2025 winter season for 1st grade football can only be described as a massive success. Despite being the underdogs after years of winless seasons, the 1st grade football team had a promising start to the season, even though we faced tough competition in rounds 1 and 2 against the eventual grand-finalists. In round 3 we secured a thrilling victory against Normanhurst, marking a historic moment – coach Mr. Murphy’s first win with the 1st grade football team since joining the school!

Confidence grew within the team, even as injuries left us with few substitutes in many games. We began to gel, understanding each other’s strengths and learning how to utilise the wide range of skills across the squad. By the end of the regular season we had achieved an impressive four wins and three draws, and earned a place in the finals – surpassing all initial expectations!

In the semi-finals at Christie Park we faced Asquith Boys HS, the Minor Premiers. We gave it everything, with us Year 11 players in particular savouring what could be our last winter grade sport match. Though we fell short after 50 minutes of hard-fought football we walked off the field with pride, celebrating the growth and success we had achieved together.

This season was a tremendous triumph, reflecting not only the team’s skill but also the camaraderie, commitment and teamwork that truly embody the spirit of sport at NSB. I would like to thank Mr. Murphy for his unwavering support and guidance throughout the season. His leadership truly brought the team together, making this year’s achievements possible.

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2ND GRADE SOCCER

BY KYLE LEE The Second Grade Soccer season had a slow start, with a team full of talented players, some were unfamiliar with another. This led to a couple of draws and a few losses early on. However, with each game that we played together, we gradually came to recognise each other’s skills and strengths. Also, from the assistance and leadership by our team captain, Timothy Pham, and the guidance of our teacher, we fostered as sense of camaraderie and teamwork that ignited something special within the team As our communication improved, so did our performance and soon the results started to reflect our growth. We began to secure more wins and significantly reduced our losses. Through the collaborative dedication and determination from every single player, we were off to the semis. Unfortunately, despite the hard work from everyone, the season fell short as we were faced with a devastating loss.

Although the outcome was not what we had hoped for, it was clear that we have come a long way. From a group of strangers to a team that earned a spot in the semifinals, we had built something meaningful, a bond of teamwork and friendship. For the Year 11 in particular, it was definitely a memorable conclusion to their final Winter Season for their high school career but one that left us all proud of the journey we had shared.

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3RD GRADE SOCCER

BY MARK P’NG The 3rd Grade Soccer campaign for the 2024 season was an extremely successful one, not just because we made the semifinals and gave juggernauts in Epping and Asquith a serious run for their money, but because from start to finish we showed growth as players and individuals and embodied the Falcon Code, carrying ourselves on and off the field in a dignified yet competitive manner — tenacious and focused during action yet always displaying compassion and sportsmanship.

Good teamwork is more than having an exquisite highlight reel, fancy goals or flashy passes; it’s about having faith in each other, understanding each of our designated roles and executing it to the best of our ability; it’s about supporting each other even in our lowest moments and most crushing defeats.

I’d like to thank each and every one of my teammates for their dedication, for propagating a healthy competitive culture, unwavering perseverance and commitment to bettering ourselves, staying calm and composed even whilst facing a defeat. Being a part of NSB’s team culture means holding ourselves accountable for mistakes yet not being overbearing or berating each other, it means putting a collective interest over individual desire, it means celebrating wins humbly and staying hungry to improve after losses.

Thank you 3rd grade soccer for a truly exhilarating season!

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4TH GRADE SOCCER

BY PATRICK SEO This season of 4th grade soccer was filled with learning moments, challenges, and personal growth. Although we didn’t make it to the semi-finals and faced several tough losses, the experience offered valuable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

From the start of the season, the team was eager to compete and improve their skills and everyone put in the effort to work together.

However, as the games began, we faced stronger, more experienced teams that tested our abilities. Despite our best efforts, we struggled to find consistency in our performance, which led to losing more games than we wanted. But even in defeat, the team remained positive and continued to encourage each other on and off the field.

Throughout the season, there were moments of individual brilliance, and everyone had the opportunity to learn from both their successes and mistakes. While not making it to the semi-finals was disappointing, the players grew closer as a team and demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity. Each game helped us understand the importance of practice, strategy, and communication in soccer, as well as the need to stay focused under pressure.

Ultimately, this season taught us that winning isn’t everything. The friendships we made, the fun we had, and the lessons we learned were just as important as any victory.

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5TH GRADE SOCCER

BY ETHAN WANG As the long awaited winter season approached, our thrill for the upcoming grade opens games only snowballed, anticipating the promise for fierce competition. Weekly, we would take on rival metropolitan high schools; competing in an all out sporting contest to be the best. Not just to play, but to prove ourselves.

To win.

We all wanted to win, to take home the victory for NSBHS. However, our athletic merit would first have to be proved through a rigorous prerequisite trial selection process. These first few weeks were daunting, with close to one hundred eager and nervous participants being closely observed and tested, sorted by skill into six teams. Despite this, the season seemed to fly by in a blur. We bonded and worked together, building our confidence as we overcame challenges and tough opponents, sharing many unforgettable memories and celebrating each well-deserved victory.

I myself still couldn’t believe how far our soccer team had come, going from an amateur level, unsure of our role in the seemingly overwhelming field, to a team that could almost instinctively play off of each other, as if telepathically, slicing through enemy defences until we scored those long-awaited goals.

And who could forget our glorious team captain, Gabriel Tan, whose strategic expertise played a huge role in orchestrating and moulding our team into what it has become today.

Throughout this enjoyable winter season, our team, and many others I am sure, no matter what sport or grade, have faced numerous challenges and tribulations, but these have only been matched by the exceptional highs; the thrill of scoring a goal, the adrenaline pumping when running down the open field with the ball, and the relief of victory.

Nevertheless, writing this now almost a year later, that winter season of sport could only have been described as unforgettable, a special period of our lives that will forever be cherished for years to come.

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6TH GRADE SOCCER

BY AARON KIM This 2024 Winter Sports Season for our 6th Grade Opens Team was an absolute cinema. Lots of ups and downs, but lots of positive and joyful memories. Do not let the name ‘6th Grade’ fool you, as our team did show some firepower and incredible persistence throughout the season. Despite the fact that the number of losses outweighed the number of wins, there were many close matches against teams that were expected to destroy us.

In our first game against Normanhurst 5th, we only lost 1-2. For a team that has the name ‘6th Grade’ and attempted more than 5 shots, it was evident that we were not a team to relax against. And we did bite them back in our rematch, winning an outstanding 4-1.

We also then versed North Sydney 5ths. It was a battle between us (the Year 10s) and the bigger and faster Year 11s. We only lost 1-2 with many of our players injured mid-game. Our last game of the season was against Normanhurst 4th. Did you think we would lose by 5 or more points because they were 4th Grade and we were 6th Grade? Guess what? We only lost 1-2.

Our opponents over the season were Normanhurst 4th & 5th, Epping 4th & 5th, Ashfield 5th and North Sydney 5th. We were the only 6th-grade team, but despite the challenges, we still gave it our best shot against all of them, AND we did not come last in the final standings, and just barely missed out on knockouts. That is an achievement in our books and this was because we all had great synergy, we all put in huge effort in every game and we all had fun participating.

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Each and every one of us has stepped up in our way, fulfilling an important role within the team. Our front line consisted of Anthony Fang, Valen Takounlao, Ryan Zhong and Yi Long Cho, and they all shared a staggering total of 7 goals throughout the whole season. This result was possible due to the support from the amazing midfielders including Nishok Muthu, Nam Phan, Brian Liang, Sean Yoo, Oliver Bahn and Aayan Salman. Then there was our defence lineup, with the majority being rookie players surprisingly. Those players were Theodore Sanuri, Sunny Li, Michael Liang, Andrew Tong-Sharp, Oscar Yang and William Zhou. And lastly, the two most important players: Jacob George as the sub-goalkeeper and the superstar of the team, Aaron Kim as the main goalkeeper. Aaron Kim averaged more than 5 saves per game, had 11 saves in the 1st game against Ashfield 5th, 9 saves in the 2nd game against Epping 5th and achieved a 100% penalty-saves rating for the whole season.

Overall, our 6th Grade Opens squad proved to be the underdogs and we enjoyed every moment of this season. We all will be looking forward to the 2025 Season. Huge shoutout and thank you to Mr Renford for his support and guidance during the entire season, as he offered amazing tactics and pieces of advice to all players, especially the rookies.

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U13A SOCCER

BY WAYNE HE As we reflect on this season, it’s clear that while the results didn’t always go our way, the journey has been remarkable. What stands out the most is how much we’ve grown as a team, how we’ve learned from every challenge, and how we’ve consistently battled with determination and passion. I think that’s something worth celebrating.

What I’m really proud of as a team was not the games we won, even though they were so precious to us, but our growth as boys in an unfamiliar environment. We came into the season many of us having never touched a football in our lives, and we left with lasting friendships, and finally bonding on huddled bus rides and treks in suburbs that were a journey of their own.

From the start, our teamwork saw immense growth. Communication improved, passes became sharper, and our defense got tighter as the season progressed. The chemistry we’ve built together will be a gamechanger for us moving forward. As the year progressed, we began to find our style of play and link up with each other, allowing us to win multiple games.

The skills development this season was another highlight. There were countless moments of brilliance that left us all in awe. One highlight of the year was Sanith’s awe-inspiring game against Ashfield that left even the referee in shock. Players stepped into new roles, tried new things, and faced challenges head-on. From game-saving tackles to creative attacks, we’ve seen flashes of what this team is capable of, and this is just the beginning. Beyond that, through every obstacle, you all kept your heads high and played with class. No matter how difficult the game became, you represented the team with pride, which is something we can all take pride in.

As your Soccer captain for 2024, I can wholeheartedly say that I am proud of what this team has achieved and became in the past season. Every player deserves to feel proud of themselves, and I think we came together in a way no team has, or maybe even ever will.

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U13B SOCCER

BY FARIZ AHMED Being able to represent North Sydney Boys High School in year 7 soccer B’s was a great privilege, and it is a huge honour to reflect on this amazing opportunity that helped give many benefits for not only me, but my teammates and fellow peers as well.

Throughout the season, the team faced many challenges, such as fatigue and a few minor injuries, as well as losses. However, we stayed resilient and showed persistence to keep moving forward. In every game we played, everyone gave it their all, putting in as much effort as possible. I can also confidently say that when nearing the end of the season, we grew as a team and bonded over our shared experience of playing against other schools. Nearing the end of the season, we started talking much more with each other in school, as well as also having much better communication and teamwork skills during matches.

Although we may have not had the best season in terms of results, the many different challenges that we overcame along the way gave many different benefits, such as making the team more resilient and strengthening our teamwork skills and camaraderie.

Thanks to this incredible opportunity, all of us were able to feel right at home within North Sydney Boys High School.

To conclude, I would like to thank Ms Lu for her unwavering support and guidance throughout the season, as well as my fellow team members for sharing this incredible opportunity with me. This season was filled with much laughter and competitiveness, and definitely will not be one to forget.

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U13C SOCCER

BY ATHARVA SIMU For Winter Sport 2024, I had selected football or soccer. I’ve never been good at the sport, but I just enjoy playing it with my friends and that’s what I did this season. Every week, we had to make our own ways to the venue, chatting and finding different paths to them. This itself was fun because sometimes we raced each other to see who could get to the venue the fastest. I generally lost, which is sad, but the experience was fun. Then came the actual games.

Most of the games I had to play forward positions as we didn’t have that many experienced people in our team due to us being the C team. Even this was enjoyable though, as when we passed to each other and communicated, sometimes not in the most quiet ways, but we still had fun in the end because our teacher always hyped us up for the match and helped us reflect on our mistakes and get past our losses. Sadly, we did not win a single time throughout the season, but we had our fair share of times when we played really well and just ended up getting tired near the end.

Overall, the season was great and with Mr Zhou to back us up, we enjoyed playing Brawl Stars after the match while deliberating on what happened throughout the match and what we could do to improve next time. Although I know that I probably won’t choose football for next year’s winter sport, I can say that I definitely had fun playing with my friends and competing with them in football.

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U14A SOCCER

BY KIERAN LANDER This year’s soccer season was truly unforgettable. From the first practice to the final whistle, I experienced a level of excitement and camaraderie that I’ll cherish for years to come.

Our team’s growth throughout the season was remarkable. We started off strong, but with each game, we became more cohesive and confident. The dedication and hard work put in by every player was evident on the field. We celebrated victories together and learned from our setbacks as a united front.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our coach, Mr. Kwiet.

His guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support were instrumental in our success. Mr. Kwiet’s passion for the game was contagious, and he always pushed us to be our best.

Finally, I’d like to express my gratitude to my amazing teammates.

Each of us brought something unique to the table, and together, we formed an unstoppable force.

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U14B SOCCER

BY DAVID P’NG The experience of being in the U14 Bs soccer team proved to be one of great triumph; namely in the way in which we conducted ourselves on the playing field, supported one another and demonstrated Falcon Pride. Through this experience, although we may not have had a perfect win record, we attained the value of displaying sportsmanship, whether it be boosting each other’s self-esteem after the harsh reality of a match against Epping, or remaining respectful on the field with our heads higher than ever after the daunting comments from our opponents, or offering the provision of our personal gear to our teammates on the sidelines.

So I would like to acknowledge all members of the team as well as our coach Ms Fattal, for creating a positive atmosphere both on and off the sporting field, where true goals are scored.

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U15A SOCCER

BY QANIT MUBARAK The U15 Soccer season was quite an eventful one for the boys. After 3 weeks of rigorous trials overseen by Ms Dell and Miss Sacchetta, we were placed into two teams to create an even balance of offence and defence to create well rounded football teams.

To kickstart the season, we faced Ashfield Boys which produced a stunning 3-3 draw, with a late penalty and goal to complete the comeback. The rest of the season was tough for the As, managing to secure two convincing wins against Randwick Boys, with Sakar Paudel managing to produce a classy double hattrick (4 goals) in one of them. Other notable goal scorers throughout the season were Sean Li, Albert Wang and Qanit Mubarak, who were our offensive engines upfront.

Our midfield also provided valuable performances at both ends of the pitches, with Avaneesh Bellavi, Daniel Xinao Chen, Matthew Qi, Edwin Pang and Raphael Susanto being the forces behind it. Our backline consisted of Thomas Zhang, Areeb Sharier, Bryan Liu and Louis Zhan who were an integral part of keeping the score lines low across the season. The team learned many valuable lessons over the course of the many games, and built and showcased great teamwork and camaraderie.

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U15B SOCCER

BY AYMAAN BIN RIAZ Our soccer 15Bs squad didn’t technically have the perfect season.

There were some ups and downs, one memorable game I can remember is the time we almost drew against the Normanhurst Boys team, a game that no doubt had Mr Mac on the edge of his seat, biting his nails to bits. Sadly, we weren’t able to muster up a win in that game,in fact, we didn’t win a single match the entire season.

Despite the losses, we never stopped practicing the values of the Falcon code. Whatever the result of our previous match was, we entered the field every week with a burning passion for the game and a vision of succeeding. We learnt to celebrate every goal and every save like we had just won the match and we lifted each other up whether someone sprained their ankle or missed a penalty.

We keenly regarded the pieces of advice our coaches Ms Sacchetta and Mr Mac bestowed on us during the halftimes and gradually we improved. We ended the last game of the season scoring 3 goals and only conceding 8. I say only because the result of our first game (010) can only be described as humbling.

In my eyes, I saw a group of ‘just those who didn’t make it into the As’ transform into a tightly-knit team that knew how to have fun and play good soccer. I think that’s a perfect season.

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1ST GRADE BADMINTON

BY RISHI MAYUR As captain of the first-grade badminton team for the final time in my high school career, this winter season was an unforgettable experience. Our journey across two terms culminated in a thrilling finals match, where every point counted. Tied 3-3 in games, we narrowly clinched the victory by just two points. It was a nail-biting finish, but the resilience and determination of each player carried us through, especially Daniel Liao and Franco Wang’s stellar performance in the final match.

Our rivalry with Epping has always been fierce, and while the first grade team managed to secure the win, our second-grade team unfortunately fell to Epping in their finals, while the 15s team also lost to them in the semi-finals. Though these losses were tough, they only fueled the desire of the junior students to improve, and I’m sure that next year they will have enhanced their game tremendously.

One of the highlights of the season wasn’t just the matches, but the camaraderie we built as a team. Whether we were practising drills in our spare time, encouraging each other after tough games, or simply spending time together off the court, these moments defined our winter season. It’s these connections that made every victory sweeter and every loss more bearable.

I’m proud of what we accomplished, and though this is my final winter sports season, I’m looking forward to seeing what next year’s team will achieve

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Camaraderie Commitment Compassion Integrity Respect

NORTH SYDNEY BOYS HIGH SCHOOL

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north sydney boys High School 127 Falcon Street North Sydney, NSW, 2060 P: +61 (02) 9955 4748 - E: northsydbo-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au https://northsydbo-h.schools.nsw.gov.au

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