Melbourne Grammar School senior students and young Old Melburnians have recently enjoyed success in a variety of sports. Here are some highlights.*
Congratulations to four Old Melburnians on their selection into the 2024 Australian Olympic rowing team. Jess Morrison OAM (OM 2010) will compete in the Women’s Coxless Pair. Fergus Hamilton (OM 2017), Tim Masters (OM 2009), and Jack Robertson (OM 2016) will compete in the Men’s Coxless Four.
Jess was also a member of the Victorian Women’s Eight crew who placed first in the Interstate event at the 2024 Australian Rowing Championship, winning the Queen’s Cup. Similarly, Fergus, Jack and Tim were members of the triumphant Victorian Men’s Eight crew who won the King’s Cup.
James Houghton (OM 2022) and Winston Hooper (OM 2022) raced in the Interstate Men’s Youth Eight event (with Nick Adkins (OM 2022) as a reserve), placing third at the same regatta.
Nixon Murray (OM 2023) and Seb Whiteley (OM 2023) are set to pursue their tertiary studies in the US this year, having both secured athletic scholarships due to their outstanding rowing abilities. Nixon will attend Boston University, while Seb will study at Princeton University.
Harry Dixon (OM 2022) was an opening batsman for the Australian team who won the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in February 2024. Sixteen counties vied for this honour. The Australian team were undefeated throughout the tournament. Harry was consistently impressive, scoring the overall third highest number of runs across the competition. This is the first time Australia has won the Cup since 2010, when Alex Keath (OM 2010) was a member of the team. Harry signed a two-year contract with Big Bash team, Melbourne Renegades, in late 2023.
Ryley Sanders (OM 2023) has commenced his AFL football career, playing for the Western Bulldogs after being selected by the club in the national draft last year. Charlie Edwards (OM 2023) was drafted by the Adelaide Crows and we look forward to his on-field debut soon.
Jack Whitbourn (OM 2023) was a member of the Victorian team who won the Australian Basketball U20 National Championships in February 2024. Victoria had a perfect tournament remaining undefeated throughout the event. Most recently, Jack was a member of the Australian team who won the 2024 Albert Schweitzer Tournament recently held in Germany. Based on his basketball prowess, he has secured a scholarship at the University of California, Riverside where he will commence studying this year.
Year 12 student Daniel Magasanik was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 18&U Australian Youth Water Polo Championships held in January 2024. Along with Nicholas Mordes (OM 2023), Daniel is a member of Water Polo Australia’s 18&U high-performance program which develops elite athletes for possible future senior Australian representation. They are both also members of the Australian U18 squad and will vie for a place in the Australian team competing in the Men’s U18 Water Polo Championships to be held in Argentina later this year.
Byron Fernandes (OM 2021), Ollie Will (OM 2023) and Year 12 student Duncan Jackson represented Victoria at the 2024 Hockey Australia Men’s U21 Hockey Championships, with the team placing second in the tournament. Ollie and Duncan continue to be members of the Hockey Australia Men’s Futures Squad which recognises the elite hockey cohort that will reach their ‘prime’ playing age when the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games are staged.
Year 12 student Max Kelly was a member of Australia’s Winter Youth Olympic Team which competed in the Youth Olympic Games at Gangwon in January 2024. Max was Australia’s top performer in Alpine Skiing, placing 22nd in the Men’s Slalom.
2024 School Team success
The following First teams secured top three places in summer sporting competitions this year:
- Premiers – Touch Football**
- Second place – Cricket, Tennis
- Third place –Rowing (Head of the River)
2023 School Team success
The following First teams secured top three places in sporting competitions last year:
- Premiers – Futsal, Hockey, Snowsports, Water Polo
- Second place – Soccer, Touch
- Third place –Athletics, Swimming
*Correct as at 9 April 2024
**First ever premiership for the School at this level in this sport
