2024 School Magazine

Australian Football

This year signified the first official season of QGSSSA Australian Rules Football (AFL). With training commencing at the end of 2023, our girls displayed true work ethic striving to learn and improve at this great sport. Not only does AFL make history in being the first QGSSSA contact sport, but it more importantly provides an opportunity for greater acknowledgment of women in contact sports and its tremendous growth in recent years. While only achieving limited victories, the BGGS AFL teams demonstrated remarkable resilience and character throughout the season, putting up a fight over every loss. Our coaches guided us through the season with endless encouragement, producing a team spirit that never faltered and an environment of love, support, safety, and trust. A big thanks goes to our coordinator and Head Coach, Matt Beattie—the season wouldn’t have run as it did without you. As Captains, we couldn’t have asked for a greater season. Thank you to all the girls who made it an amazing last run. We also want to wish the junior teams the best of luck for their season commencing in Term 4. Bailey Cooke (12W) and Sophia Nguyen (12E) Australian Football Captains

Badminton

Badminton is an inclusive sport that welcomes players from all levels and encourages girls to demonstrate both hard work and sportsmanship. Whilst Badminton is still rather new to QGSSSA, it is a fast-developing sport, with over 200 girls trialling and 130 girls selected this year. This year, trials started in Week 8 of Term 2 and were wrapped up by Week 9. The Come and Try session was held earlier in Week 4 of Term 2, giving girls in all Year-levels a chance to participate in Badminton. After teams were finalised, training commenced in Week 1 of Term 3.

Senior teams had the opportunity of additional training sessions to provide full support and preparation for the upcoming competition in early Term 4. On Open Day, girls were able to share their enthusiasm and passion for the sport at the Badminton stall and a Come and Try session was provided to the students and families. With competitions held in Week 1 and 2 of Term 4, all teams put on a remarkable performance—the Open team defending our fourth consecutive win. Senior As also won their respective division, and Senior B, C, D, and all Year 10 divisions placed top four. We thank Ms Sandra Vecchio—our wonderful coordinator—for her ongoing guidance, enthusiasm and devotion to the sport. Without your efforts, the Badminton season wouldn’t have been so amazing! Thank you to all the coaches for supporting us both on and off court and thank you to the girls for your commitment, sportsmanship, and spirit. We are grateful to have led an awesome group of girls and wish the 2025

Badminton players all the best for next year. Vicky Zhang (12R) and Carol Chen (12O) Badminton Captains

134 | BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2024