Term 3 has been a highly successful term for Sport at Damascus College, with strong student participation across BAS competitions, interschool events and representative opportunities. Throughout the term, students have demonstrated commitment, teamwork, sportsmanship and pride in representing the College.

Students have also continued to develop their leadership skills through officiating, coaching and participation across a wide range of sports.

BAS Sport Competitions

BAS sport commenced in Week 2, with students competing across a range of sports including basketball, football, soccer, table tennis, netball, squash, racquetball, chess and athletics.

Basketball

There has been strong participation in basketball throughout Term 3 across Year 7, Year 8, Intermediate and Senior competitions.

A highlight was the success of the Senior Boys Basketball 2nds, who defeated Mt Clear in the BAS Grand Final to become BAS 2nds Boys Basketball Premiers. Congratulations to all players on their efforts throughout the season, and to coach Ryan Leaney for his contribution to the team's success.

Thank you also to Nikki Hexter, Glenn Jessup, Nikita Lowe and Lachie Reus for coaching the Year 7 and Year 8 basketball teams.

Football

The Senior Boys Football 2nds had another wonderful season, defeating St Patrick's College by six points in the BAS Grand Final. The victory secured back-to-back BAS premierships, an outstanding achievement for the team.

Congratulations to the players and coaches Hamish Walsh and Hamish McCrum for their leadership throughout the season. A special mention also goes to Adrian Lane for his contribution to the team.

Netball

Congratulations to the Senior Girls 4ths Netball team, who competed in the BAS Grand Final against Ballarat Grammar.

Although narrowly defeated in the Grand Final, the team demonstrated excellent teamwork and determination throughout the season. Thank you to coach Tim O'Sullivan for his commitment and support of the team.

Athletics

The BAS Road Relay at Victoria Park provided another opportunity for students to represent Damascus. Congratulations to the Intermediate Boys A and Senior Boys B teams, who both recorded victories in their respective races.

Students also represented Damascus at the BAS Cross Country at Victoria Park, competing against schools from across the Ballarat region. Well done to all students who competed, with special congratulations to Archie Grant, who finished 3rd in the Intermediate Boys 4km, and Lucy Jones, who finished 3rd in the Senior Girls 5km.

The BAS Lap of the Lake provided another opportunity for students to compete in a long-distance running event, with 35 Damascus students from Years 7–12 participating. Congratulations to Perrie Grant, who finished 3rd in the Intermediate Boys, and Lucy Jones, who finished 3rd in the Senior Girls.

A special thank you to Rod Mathews for his time and effort in organising and supporting all our running teams.

Chess

Students across the year levels represented Damascus at the BAS Chess Tournament at St Patrick's College. The students performed strongly and successfully qualified for the Chess Victoria State Final, which will be held in Melbourne in Term 4.

We wish the team all the best for the State Final!

Special thanks to Caroline Nolan, Morgan Colgrave and Lucas Groud for supporting the students.

Racquetball and Squash

Damascus had teams competing across three racquetball divisions this term.

The Division 1 team placed third behind Mount Clear and Ballarat Grammar. The team featured premier players Darcie Blaber, Ethan Ellis, Eadie Blaber and Harley Shannon.

Damascus was successful in Division 2, with the team comprising Neve Rogers, Charlotte Rieniets and Luca Probert, with players from other teams filling in as required.

The third team was a duo comprising Bella Evangelista and Keegan Vella.

In squash, Darcie Blaber was the Damascus student who competed. Darcie was mostly undefeated throughout the competition and narrowly missed out on making the finals.

Huge thanks to Finn Augustin for his support of the various teams throughout the term.

Table Tennis

Congratulations to the Damascus College Red D Grade team, who finished top of their group to become premiers.

Thank you to Jen Montgomery and Narelle Dixon for assisting and supporting the students.

Interschool Events

Term 3 also provided students with a number of opportunities to compete beyond the regular BAS competition program. These events allowed students to represent Damascus against schools from across Victoria and to experience competition in a range of sporting environments.

Netball Victoria Schools Competition

Damascus students competed at the Netball Victoria Schools Competition in Parkville. The event provided valuable experience competing outside the Ballarat region against schools from across Victoria.

Thank you to Kirsten Phyland, Lexie, Jayde and Matt Walker, who accompanied and coached the teams at this event.

South-West Zone Regional Schools Clay Target Championship

Four Damascus students attended the South-West Zone Regional Schools Clay Target Championship in Noorat.

The students shot very well in glorious weather, representing the College with great success and demonstrating excellent sportsmanship throughout the event.

Congratulations and well done to all the students who attended. A special thank you to Brent Evans and Matt Taylor for supporting the students on the day.

Mt Alexander Chess Challenge

Nine Damascus students participated in the Mt Alexander Chess Challenge in Castlemaine.

Ethan Harris finished 3rd overall, while Damascus College placed 4th out of 13 schools.

McAuley Cup/Shield

During the final week of term, the Junior Girls and Boys Football teams played in the annual McAuley Cup/Shield games against Mercy Regional College.

Held at Marty Busch Reserve, the girls' team was victorious, defeating Mercy 8.4 (52) to 2.3 (15). Matilda Carter was awarded Best on Ground for her outstanding performance.

Unfortunately, the boys' team was defeated by Mercy 19.16 (130) to 4.3 (27).

Thank you to Kristen Roth and Lois Stiles for coaching the girls, Glenn Jessup and Martin Porter for coaching the boys, and to Dan Jans, Pat Dillon and the students who assisted on the day.

Celebrating Student Sporting Success Beyond School

We would also like to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the following students for their sporting accomplishments outside of school.

• Tessa Wilson – selected for the GWV Rebels Girls squad.
• Oscar Henderson – selected for the GWV Rebels Boys squad.
• Tilly Gordon – captained the U15/16 Girls Greater Ballarat Squad at the 2026 Football Victoria Country Championships in June.
• Darcie Blaber – turned pro and played in the 2026 Ballarat International Open Squash Championships in August.
• Makayla Wright – won the Prue Douglass Best and Fairest in 17&U Senior Netball and the 17&U Netball MVP award at the BFNL Junior Presentation Night.
• Scarlette Jones – runner-up in the 17&U Netball Best & Fairest at the CHNL Junior Presentation Night.
• Bohdi Harris – won the U15 Football Best and Fairest at the CHFL Junior Presentation Night.
• Ryan Geddes – won the Hockey Ballarat Division 1 Men’s Best and Fairest and was a member of the Westvic team that won the U16 Hockey Victoria Pennant NW (second grade) premiership.
• Mitchell Stevens – was a member of the Westvic team that won the U16 Hockey Victoria Pennant NW (second grade) premiership.
• Daniel Ryan – umpired the Hockey Ballarat Division 1 Men’s Grand Final and the U16 Hockey Victoria Shield (top grade) Grand Final. He was also recently presented with the Hockey Victoria "Most Promising Junior Umpire" award.
• Will Kearns, Nate Thorne and Jonty Ward – selected in the GWV Rebels squad to play in the Vline Cup Carnival, held from 21–23 September in Gippsland.
• Noah Blysma – awarded Best Junior Umpire and Best Development First Year Field Umpire at the Ballarat Football Umpire Awards.
• Archie Bennett – won the BFNL Umpires Best on Ground award in the U18.5 BFNL Football Grand Final.
• Luka Bridges – sang the National Anthem before the BFNL Senior Football Grand Final and the A Grade Netball Grand Final.

We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our students both on and off the field. Their success reflects the dedication, commitment and passion they bring to their chosen sports.

If you know of a Damascus student who has experienced success in a local sporting competition, been selected in a regional or state team, or achieved a significant sporting milestone outside of school, please let the Sport Department know. We would love the opportunity to recognise and celebrate their achievements.

Sport Department Contacts

Sarah Van Deur
Sports Coordinator
s.vandeur@damascus.vic.edu.au

Patrick Dillon
Sports Administrator
P.Dillon@damascus.vic.edu.au

(Photos below provided)