Congratulations to the Melbourne Grammar School students who have proudly represented their state at a National championship in a ball sport this year.
AFL
With home bases in Tasmania and Queensland respectively, boarders Ryley Sanders, Year 12, and Sam Marshall, Year 11, played for the victorious U18 Allies in the 2023 AFL National Championships. Unbeaten throughout the Championship, it was the first time the Allies had secured the top prize.
(Allies team members are drawn from New South Wales, ACT, Northern Territory, Queensland and Tasmania.)
Ryley was awarded the Larke Medal which recognises the best and fairest player of the Championship, and was also named Captain of the All-Australian team.
Playing for Team Vic in the School Sport Australia (SSA) – Australian Football competition, Year 6 students Gisele Karafili and Sidney McLachlan both claimed the Championship in their respective categories – 12 years and under (girls) for Giselle and 12 years and under (boys) for Sidney.
Gisele’s team only lost one match during the Championships; Sidney’s did not lose any.
BASKETBALL
Absent in this photo, Jack Whitbourn, Year 12, was a member of the U18 VicMetro Basketball team which won the Gold Medal at the U18 National Basketball Championships tournament held in April 2023. The team was undefeated during the tournament.
Jack has been subsequently selected to represent Australia in the 2023 FIBA Oceania Championships.
HOCKEY
Ollie Will, Year 12, was Captain of U18 Victorian Hockey team which recently placed fourth in the 2023 U18 Men’s National Hockey Championships. Tom Wilson, Year 12, and Duncan Jackson, Year 11, were also members of the team.
Ollie and Duncan have subsequently been named in the 2023 U18 Hockey Australia Men’s Futures Squad. The group includes the best hockey players in the country who will be in their ‘prime’ age when the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games are staged.
RUGBY
Charlie Wake, Year 11, and brothers Ziggy Whakaari, Year 11 and Anuru Whakaari, Year 12, were all members of the XV Victorian team which played in the 49th Australian Schools Rugby Championships earlier this year.
This is the second time Anuru’s talent has been recognised in this way.
VOLLEYBALL
Ancgajan Shanthakumar, Year 12, was selected and played for the U19 Victorian team at the recent Australian Junior Volleyball Championships. Victoria finished third behind NSW and Qld.
Charlie Lanham, Year 8, and James Gao, Year 9, were state representatives at the 2023 Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships where their team placed seventh out of a list of 18.
Charlie and James were also members of Team Vic Volleyball 15 Years and Under who competed at the School Sport Australia Championships in June. They have also been selected to represent Victoria at the 2023 Australian Youth Volleyball Championships to be held later this year. Charlie has the added distinction of being named Vice-Captain of the team.
