A parent-run sports club, a school-wide basketball competition and access to competitive Catholic pathways offer young sportsmen and women at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Mosman plenty of places to play – and a number have achieved incredible success.
The school’s sports club, in which over 400 students participate, has been responsible for introducing a number of young stars to their sport of choice, including Christian.
Christian got through to Nationals in athletics in Darwin this year in the 800m. He came third. He followed the Catholic school pathways to Nationals.
The photo shows Christian and his family with the NSW minister for Sport and our own local NSW member Felicity Wilson. In 2018 Christian held the record as the fastest 10 year old in Australia to run the 800m.
2019 was a great sporting year for Sacred Heart and the Catholic school pathways. Christian and Poppy made it to Nationals in athletics and cross country and Toby and Cassidy made it to nationals in basketball.
Other students have also found success outside the three sports offered by the school’s sports club – soccer, basketball and netball. Brothers Max and Angus Lechner, both Year 6, recently found success as part of a Sydney AFL team that placed second at an elite competition in Wagga Wagga.
Principal Julie Caldwell said co-ordinating a rare school based sports club and accommodating student absences during competitions can be tricky, but emphasised that sport has incredible value for every student – whether or not they displayed elite talent.
‘Every child can benefit from the healthy lifestyle and good mental health that sport brings,’ Ms Caldwell said.
‘Being with your family, learning all the life skills of being part of a game, and supporting exercise and a healthy lifestyle are a very big focus.