Faculties

Sport and Physical Education

Volleyball 2007!

WILL THESE EVENTS BE HISTORIC ?

Does History – the past – teach us lessons that are applicable for today? Consider Sir Francis Drake and the battle against overwhelming odds when facing the Spanish Armada. Or Winston Churchill’s stirring oratory and presence rallying the British in those dark days during WWII. Many other examples could be cited. At times of need, of crisis, at critical points in the History of mankind, it seems that the right people come to the fore and History is forever changed.

It is a strange fact, but on the date 21st November in various years we find examples of this same thing happening down through the centuries. Voltaire was born on this day in 1694, and his writings influenced important thinkers in following years in both the French and American Revolutions. History was changed because of him. The first technological leap of manned flight that would revolutionise the history of travel also occurred on this day when the Montgolfier brothers at Annonay, France were the first men to fly in a hot air balloon in 1783.

History was also written on 21st November 2007 at Kogarah High School, when the School’s two Senior Girls Volleyball teams did battle for the St George District Championship. Not only was the day hot and humid, but the two teams both had a double battle to contend with in their ordeal to maintain their unbeaten records throughout the season. Both Kogarah High teams had the one afternoon to win through their semi final matches, left over from the previous week, before facing the grand finals. It was a tough task! Could either of the Senior Girls A team, or the Senior Girls B team win both their matches and become District Volleyball Champions?

First the Senior Girls B team played the Beverly Hills Girls and successfully gained the victory in two straight sets. Then, under the blazing noonday sun, the Senior Girls A team fought against Moorefields Girls, and won in a hard-fought two straight sets. Both Kogarah High teams now faced their fresh and rested opponents in the grand finals.

First, the Senior Girls B team battled against Peakhurst Girls High, in the comparative coolness of the school gym. Our girls calmly raced to the front, and decisively won in two straight sets, to become the District Champions in the Open B grade. They were justly jubilant, as they had been undefeated all years! What an occasion in the history of Volleyball. But, could their feat be emulated by the ‘A Team’?

D. Watson

Pictures of these fine athletes follow:

Kogarah High School Senior Girls B Volleyball Team – undefeated 2007 District Champions

Canterbury Girls High were to be the opponents our Senior Girls A team faced, also in the school gym. The Canterbury team received amazing support from a vocal cheer squad. Would that make the difference, and help their team rise to seize the championship? But demonstrating their true character, the girls of the Kogarah Senior Girls A team quietly, calmly and confidently demonstrated their prowess in all aspects of the game. They took the first set easily, and then in the second set, with a convincing display of skill and teamwork, they powered to the historic victory!

This was their second year in a row that they had won the District Competition undefeated! While they jumped and hugged each other, their elation and euphoria was restrained, as they did not doubt that they had the discipline, the skills and the teamwork to achieve the victory.

These girls teams have set a school record in volleyball that may take decades to break. If it can be broken – ever! Kogarah High applauds you, young ladies, and you will certainly go down in the history of the school. And for these athletes, among the great memories they will each carry away with them of their high school days, will be the sweet memories of the battles and the championships they won on this day when they made history.

D’Arcy Watson
Coach