Congratulations to all Newington boys who competed and participated in the Summer Sports Season for 2013 – 2014. We had some landmark victories in the GPS competition with Cricket, Water Polo, Tennis and Swimming all earning Premierships.

Swimming

The Newington Swim Team of 2014 collected two out of three AAGPS Premierships on offer during the Swimming season in Term 1 which culminated in the GPS Swimming Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park last Friday 21 March.

This year the Swim team comprised of 55 members.

Our Juniors staged a remarkable comeback win in their premiership to retain the silverware at Stanmore for the fourth consecutive year. The strong relay teams in the Under 13s and Under 14s age groups is a fantastic sign for the future. The Juniors season was highlighted by Jack Rudkins (8/MA) (U13s) breaking a longstanding 100m Freestyle Newington College record with a 1:02.22 at the Newington Age Championships.

In the Intermediate age category Newington dominated all point score carnivals. Our depth in this age category coupled with outstanding individual performances by Callum Lowe-Griffiths (10/PR) led to a resounding premiership victory. Among the highlights were two records to Callum in the 50 m and 200 m Backstroke events.

Our Senior squad, led by Captain of Swimming – Samuel Turner (12/MO), was never far off the pace in any event and won valuable points in relay events helping them to a fifth place finish overall in the Senior premiership.

2014 was also the farewell season of the Head of Swimming, Mr Jeff Snare, who has overseen the team for no fewer than 11 seasons. Mr Snare’s knowledge of swimming and rapport with the schools swimmers will be missed next year and in the future.

Tennis

Congratulations to Newington on a successful Tennis season. The Newington 1sts finished as undefeated Champions of the GPS, and the 2nds finished a credible fourth. Damien Minguez (12/FL) and Richard Palmer (12/KL) of Year 12 gained selection for CIS and they were joined by Julian Panagopoulos (10/LE) of Year 10 when AAGPS defeated CAS in the annual challenge match.

Water Polo

Water Polo has once again secured the 1sts, 2nds and Under 16As GPS/CAS Premierships in season 2013 – 14. This year’s treble was a particularly special achievement as all three premiership teams won their trophies undefeated for outright premierships for the first time ever.

The Firsts overcame a very strong St Ignatius 10 – 9 in their closest match of the season. After that tussle Riverview will have a point to prove next season.

The Under 16As provided one of the highlights of the season in their “get out of jail” victory against Scots College thanks to a goal from Harry Gilkes (9/KL) in the dying seconds to win the match 5 – 4.

Congratulations on a superb season!

Cricket

Newington Cricket witnessed a successful 2013-14 season with the 1st XI, capably led by Joshua Stewart (12/FL), winning the AAGPS Premiership for the first time since 2003. In addition, the 1st XI won the recently inaugurated Joseph Coates Trophy played between Newington and Sydney Boys High. The Trophy commemorates Joseph Coates who served as Headmaster of both schools and was a renowned cricketer in his day.