Boys

Convenor Steve Sokulsky from St Joseph’s Aberdeen knew our Diocese was going to achieve great things at NSWCCC as selections at our Diocesan level were so strong. Last year the boys took out the final at NSWCCC and 7 of those boys were in this year’s team so we headed confidently to Glenwood for the 2022 NSWCCC Football Selections.

 

Game 1 vs Sydney Catholic Schools Orange

Result 2 - 0 Win (Lachlan Griffiths, Will Southcombe)

The first game was a competitive start to the tournament against a strong Sydney team, but the Newcastle/ Maitland boys were able to show their incredible defensive pressure in the final third. The boys were able to win the ball back quickly and find holes in the opposition's defence. Declan Hughes and Christian Bracco controlled the middle of the park which meant that the opposition never really got into the game. Goals from Lachlan Griffiths and Will Southcombe in each half were enough to come away with a 2 - 0 win. 

  

Game 2 vs Parramatta Blue

Result 2 - 0 Win (Janni Rafty 2)

Building off the great performance from the first game the boy brought confidence and intensity to our second game against Parramatta Blue. The boys took the lead with a great individual goal by Janni Rafty where he cut through the opposition defence and scored an excellent goal outside the box. The boys relaxed into the game and began to dominate possession. A second goal from Janni Rafty off a pinpoint cross by Hugh Brown gave the boys a 2 - 0 win in game 2. 

 

Game 3 vs Lismore/Armidale 

Result 4 - 0 Win (Janni Rafty, Lachlan Griffiths, Kierry James, Will Southcombe) 

An early 8am start on day two presented a big mental challenge for the boys. The focus of the game was to start strong and aim to catch the opposition napping. The boys certainly got off to the perfect start with Janni Rafty having a close-range finish in the box in the first minute. Another early goal from Lachlan Griffiths meant that Newcastle/Maitland boys were on top in the early stages. Lismore/ Armidale started to come back into the game but a clinical finish from Kierry James crushed any hopes of a comeback and meant Newcastle/ Maitland went into halftime 3-0 up. There were a lot of chances in the second half, but players just missed the final pass or final shot in front of the goal. Will Southcome was able to find the net late in the second half when his powerful shot proved too hot to handle for the Lismore/Armidale goalkeeper. 4-0 Win!

 

Game 4 vs Sydney Catholic Schools White

Result 0 - 0 Draw

With other results going Newcastle/ Maitland's way, the boys only need a draw to finish top of the group and progress into the final. It was a tight game and Sydney White played a lot of direct long balls and tried to match the boys physically across the park. A game with a lot of fouls and strong tackles meant the boys struggled to gain a hold of the game but still had enough chances to come away with the win. In the end, the boys just couldn't find the back of the net but excellent performances by Bhuvadej Loachaivaj, Aswin Gurung and Lachlan Griffiths showed their quality to the selectors. Kyle McSeveney and Dominik Brymore also showed experience, leadership, and composure to keep another clean sheet and shut out Sydney White. All defenders were excellent throughout the tournament and brilliant goalkeeping by Oscar Archbold meant that Newcastle/Maitland didn't concede a goal during the entire group stage. 

 

Final 

Result 1 - 1 Broken Bay (Kye McSeveney) Won on Penalties 

The stage was set with the two best teams meeting in the final. Both finished on the same points in their respective groups, scored the same about of goals and neither side had yet to concede. As finals go you couldn't have had a better spectacle. It was tight, physical and played at a rapid past. Neither side managed to get on top of the game, but both had periods of pressure.  Kyle McSeveney rose above the congested pack of players off a corner from Declan Hughes to header the ball into the far-left corner. 1-0 to Newcastle/ Maitland! The score stayed the same leading into halftime. Broken Bay built some momentum and pressure after half time and off a corner the ball fell to one other their players on top of the box and with an excellent finish, the score was tied 1-1. The last minutes of the game swung back and four with Newcastle having some great opportunities to score and Broken Bay looking dangerous on set-pieces, but no one could find the winner which resulted in a penalty shoot-out. The boys showed great composure and mental toughness with come clinical penalty finishing from Lachlan Griffiths, Bhuvadej Loachaivaj, Aswin Gurung and Declan Hughes. With Broken Bay missing their third penalty it was up to Kyle McSeveney to score the winning penalty and it was never in doubt slotting home to win the CHAMPIONSHIP.  

Steve Sokulsky and Thomas Davies have now combined for the 2^nd year to coach and manage the boys to win the NSWCCC final. They are to be congratulated on their fine efforts, knowledge and support for the players.

 

2022 Maitland Newcastle Boys Championship Team

Student Firstname	Student Surname	School
Aswin	Gurung	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Benjamin	Barby	St Joseph's High School, Aberdeen
Bhuvadej	Loachaivaj	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Cameron	Howard	St Mary's Catholic College, Gateshead
Christian	Bracco	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Declan	Hughes	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Dominik	Brymora	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Hugh	Browne	St Pius X High School, Adamstown
Janni	Rafty	St Pius X High School, Adamstown
Kierry	James	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Kyle	McSeveney	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Lachlan	Griffiths	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Michael	Byrnes	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Oscar	Archbold	St Joseph's College, Lochinvar
Wil	Southcombe	St Joseph's High School, Aberdeen

 

Selected players to represent NSWCCC at the NSW All Schools Football Championships:

Aswin Gurung - St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton

Bhuvadej Loachaivaj - St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton

Christian Bracco - St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton

Declan Hughes - St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton

Dominik Brymora - St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton

Kyle McSeveney - St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton

Lachlan Griffiths - St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton

 

 

Girls

This year Loretta Browne joined forces with Liz Savovski to coach and manage our Maitland Newcastle girls diocesan team.

The first game was against SGS White. The girls started the day with a convincing win 6 – 1. Goal scorers included Molly Salvador, Madeline Howard, Ruby Jones and Mercedes McNabb with an amazing hat trick. It was a great start to the championship.

The second game was against a strong CGSSA team. It was a great game and very close. Unfortunately, we missed a penalty and against the run of play we conceded a goal which saw us go down 1 – 0. Our girls never gave up but were disappointed with the loss but kept their heads held high. Special mention goes to Saffron Grass and Alisha Ingrey our midfield players who played outstandingly throughout the game and were positive role models at all times.

The third game was against SCS Orange and it was a must-win game for us. It started off a very tight game but thanks to our strong defensive line and organisation in our centre we won the game 2 – 0. Our goal scorers were Molly Salvador and Madeline Howard.

The last pool game was against Southern Country and we had to win this game to go through to the final. The girls played hard and came away with an amazing 6 – 0 win. Our goal scorers included Mercedes McNabb with two goals, Alisha Ingrey and Madeline Howard with a hat trick.

In the final game, we came up against a very strong SCS Black team. It was very tight throughout the game but our girls kept their heads played their game and came out on top 3 – 2 at the final whistle. Our goal scorers in this game included Madeline Howard and Mercedes McNabb with two goals.

The girls throughout the tournament represented with outstanding sportsmanship and pride and were a credit to our Diocese. At the end of the tournament 5 girls were chosen to represent NSWCCC at the All-Schools Championship later this month.

 

2022 Maitland Newcastle Girls Championship Team

Student Firstname	Student Surname	School
Olivia	Odorico	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Alisha	Ingrey	St Paul's Catholic College , Booragul
Molly	Salvador	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Mercedes	Mcnabb	All Saint's College, (Years 7-10), Maitland
Ruby	Jones	St Mary's Catholic College, Gateshead
Caoimhe	Bray	St Joseph's High School, Aberdeen
Riley	Gardner	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Danah	Chapman	St Paul's Catholic College , Booragul
Ellen	Hughes	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Eve	Howard	St Joseph's High School, Aberdeen
Lacey	McLean	St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton
Saffron	Grass	St Clare's High School, Taree
Madeline	Howard	St Mary's Catholic College, Gateshead
Emma	OHagan	St Mary's Catholic College, Gateshead
Chloe	Martin	St Catherine's College, Singleton

 

Selected players to represent NSWCCC at the NSW All Schools Football Championships:

Eve Howard - St Joseph’s Aberdeen

Saffron Grass – St Clare’s Taree

Madeline Howard - St Mary’s Catholic College Gateshead

Emma O’Hagan - St Mary’s Catholic College Gateshead

Mercedes McNabb – All Saints College Maitland

 

 

The Diocese is incredibly proud of all the students who represented the Diocese. To take out both finals in the same year is outstanding.

See the winning teams here at the Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle sports website.

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