2016 School Magazine

VOLLEYBALL The 2016 Volleyball season saw the return of many girls and coaches from past seasons, as well as the exciting welcome of two Year 7 teams and three new coaches. The highlight of the QGSSSA competition for the Open team was the nail-biting marathon game in Round 6 against St Peters Lutheran College, who were undefeated at the time. The game was two-allentering into the fifth set, the two teams advanced closely throughout the fifth set, but BGGS achieved a superb narrow, home win at 20-18. This year’s 7A team benefitted greatly from Ms Gunn’s wealth of coaching experience. Not only finishing first in their division, but managing the amazing achievement of not dropping a single set all season. All grades performed well as a team throughout the QGSSSA competition, and showed great promise for BGGS volleyball in the future. Outside the QGSSSA competition, fun was had at both the Junior and Senior Schools Cup. Schools Cup is a great way to consolidate and improve our volleyball skills through challenging and rigorous match play against schools from across the state. The three BGGS teams competing in the Australian Schools Cup in Melbourne in December 2016 will be hoping for success following the Open team’s remarkable performance last year, winning gold. We were all sorry to see Miss Walsh leave at the start of the season, vacating her role as volleyball coordinator. However, would like to thank Miss Johnson for her support, organisation and dedication as coordinator this season.

EMMA GIBBON (12R) AND SALLY NICKLIN (12W) CAPTAINS

WATER POLO Girls Grammar…war cry… one, two, three! As the final buzzer sounded at the Brisbane Water Polo Association Inc. (BWPI) finals on Saturday 19 March 2016, the sea of Girls Grammar Blue erupted in the stands. After 14 years, the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Open Water Polo team had won the coveted 18A Grand Final again! Like all matches against All Hallows’ School it was a tense game from start to finish but teamwork and a belief in each other saw us take gold! This game marked the end of a rewarding season for everyone. The 2015/16 water polo competition season started in October 2015, with 17 teams and a total of 190 girls, supported by an enthusiastic group of parents and friends. Following the introduction of Year 7 to high school, this also reflected a change in the BWPI competition and BGGS added two teams of 12 year olds to the water polo program for the first time in 2015. The success of these two teams as well as many of the junior teams, augers well for the future of Girls Grammar Water Polo. BGGS also participated in the U14, U16 and U18 State Titles all held in Brisbane. BGGS were runners up at the U18 State championships and at the U14 State championships, despite only losing one game, BGGS placed a credible fifth. At the U16 Club

National Championships in Perth, in September 2015, BGGS placed fourth out of thirty teams – another record achievement for BGGS at this level. Our weekly editions of The Mushroom newsletter, have been enjoyed by all players — filled with fun water polo facts, skills tips and team photos was something the girls were eager to read each week. Through this, we were also able to engage with players from all age groups and it assisted with our service initiative for the season: BGGS water polo thongs! Following approval from School Principal, Ms Euler and with our aim to support the charity, Sport Matters, we promoted and took orders for BGGS thongs, a privileged uniform item that was worn with pride around the pool. The charity, Sport Matters, provides girls in disadvantaged communities with the opportunity to play a team sport, something that BGGS students can sometimes take for granted. The support received by the Girls Grammar Community, was overwhelming and as a result, we were able to donate $850 to Sport Matters. After two terms of early morning training, swim sets, skills sessions and legwork, an amazing 13 teams, out of 17 played in the Semi- Finals. Finishing with one premiership and five silver medals, this by any standard was a successful season! As mentioned, the girls’ teamwork, determination and belief in each other encapsulated the nature of BGGS Water Polo, but none of this would have been possible without the care, efficiency and attention to detail of our Coordinator, Mrs Raechelle Finch, Manager, Mrs Chris Moore and the incredible passion and dedication of our team of coaches under the guidance of new Head Coach, Mr Simon Daley. We are grateful to have been supported in all our endeavours in and out of the pool. EMILY POWELL (12E) AND LYDIA PASCOE (12O) CAPTAINS

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