UNSTOPPABLE: GIRLS SWIMMING MAKES QGSSSA HISTORY

St Peters Girls Swimming has made QGSSSA history by claiming an unprecedented 10 consecutive Championships in March this year, surpassing the previous record held by Brisbane State High School from 1976 to 1984.

If you have ever attended the QGSSSA Swimming Championships at Chandler, you will understand why it holds a special place on the St Peters Sporting calendar. The stands are brimming with spectators, creating an electrifying atmosphere filled with the sound of school spirit. With St Peters' phenomenal success in the pool, it has become a must-see event.

This year's 88th Annual QGSSSA Swimming Championships was no exception. Our swimmers, cheered on loudly by their enthusiastic supporters and led by Captains Amelia Weber and Claveria JohnsonTiumalu, swam their hearts out, securing a decisive victory. They won the prestigious Mollie Gould Cup by a staggering 127-point margin, accumulating a total of 630 points. St Margarets Anglican Girls School and Moreton Bay College claimed second and third place with 503 and 499 points, respectively.

The College's outstanding swimming program, widely regarded as the best in Australia, has played a crucial role in this remarkable achievement – the most significant sporting milestone in the College's history.

The Girls Swimming Captains expressed how it felt to find out the team had clinched the 2023 Championship.

“To be part of a team that made history is something I’ll never forget. I always dreamt about winning QGSSSA at a young age and to finally achieve it and make history with this team is unbelievable,” said Amelia.

“It’s a surreal feeling and still a shock every time I think about it,” added Claveria.

In addition to this incredible result, St Peters dominated four out of the six age groups (17 years and over, 16 years, 15 years and 14 years), securing first place. They also secured second place in the 13 years age group. Furthermore, the College won the Open and Junior Brockway Cups and set a record in the 13 years 4x50m Freestyle Relay.

St Peters’ success has witnessed continuous growth each year, with comprehensive victories of over 100 points in the last four years. The College currently holds an astounding 60% of all event records.

When asked about the driving force behind this ongoing success, the Captains attributed it to the coaching team and the hard work of past swimmers.

“A key factor behind this remarkable streak is the staff and coaches,” said Claveria.

“They do a phenomenal job behind the scenes to make sure the girls have fun, learn and most importantly feel part of this great team.”

Amelia said, “Each year the past swimmers have lifted and brought home the Mollie Gould Cup and we couldn’t have made history without them and their efforts.

“The countless hours and determination they have put in to make this streak possible is remarkable,” she continued.

St Peters has earned the reputation of having Australia’s top swimming program, and its 10-year winning streak has been spear-headed by the nation’s two leading swim coaches, Michael Bohl OAM (Head Coach 2003-2017) and Dean Boxall (Head

Coach 2017 to current). Dean Boxall’s efforts in developing St Peters Swimming were acknowledged earlier this year with his second recognition as Swimming World International Coach of the Year.

Numerous St Peters Old Scholars have gone on to represent Australia in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games or World Championships. Notable athletes include Ariarne Titmus, Mollie O’Callaghan, Abbey Harkin, Georgia Bohl, Jenna Forrester, Ella Ramsay and Eve Thomas.

Shaun Nodwell, Director of Sport, highlights that at QGSSSA Swimming, St Peters has achieved remarkable team success in an individual sport.

“QGSSSA is arguably the strongest schoolgirls’ sporting competition in Australia and, without a doubt, the strongest school swimming competition in the country,” he said.

“At national level events the girls are swimming for themselves. At QG they’re swimming for St Peters.”

Amelia and Claveria echoed this commitment to teamwork and said that during the Swimming season they encouraged their teammates to work hard and have fun while working towards their collective goal.

“I believe that the goal of making history and making our school proud helped motivate all the girls,” said Amelia.

“My role as swim captain throughout QG and the lead up was to create a supportive and safe environment, to ensure all girls felt comfortableespecially the new girls and younger swimmers as this was their first year competing at a meet like this,” she continued.

Claveria added, “I truly wanted to create an environment for the girls to put in hard work for not only themselves but for each other, the College and past swimmers."

Over the past decade, approximately 720 girls have contributed to this legacy. This achievement has been made possible through a combination of exceptional coaching, excellent facilities and an internationally acclaimed program that nurtures young athletes both in the pool and the classroom.

We congratulate St Peters Girls Swimming on their historic achievement. Their unwavering determination, teamwork and passion for the sport serve as an inspiration to the entire St Peters community.