Welcome back Old Sport
A crisp Spring morning and the first home game of the season provided a wonderful chance to welcome family and friends to the CCGS presentation to the Firsts Basketball teams.
The presentation of jerseys from alumni to the Firsts teams has fast become an established tradition at CCGS and a special moment for past students and current alike. The day sees old Basketball greats return to CCGS to pass on their wisdom and advice to the new teams and share fond memories of playing basketball for the school.
Old Girls present to Girls' First team
Front row: Skye, Mackenzie, Priya, Olive and Lana
We welcomed back Old Girls, Maddison Penn (2006), Rebecca Hockey (2017), Ashleigh Tyson (2016), Georgia Mann (2016) and Chelsea Vernon-Elliot (2022). These women have been great ambassadors for Basketball and our school. They are all strong advocates of women in sport and positive role models.
Rebecca Hockey (2017) was Acacia House Captain and Captain of Basketball. Rebecca truly embraced the concept of school spirit and strongly promoted participation in the CCGS girls' program.
Ashleigh Tyson (2016) attended CCGS since Kindergarten and was tenacious on the court and a strong supporter of Girls' Basketball. Ashleigh was a member of Firsts for three years and Captain of Basketball.
We also welcomed back Maddison Penn (2006), an amazing athlete who currently coaches the U12 Rebels team. Maddison shared with the team her favourite memories and sporting achievements such as WNBL in 2013 at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Old Boys back in town
Front row: Mark Cameron (1998), Will, Lachlan, Zach and Mitch Braund (2001)
We welcomed Simon Dwyer (2003), Mitch Braund (2001), Jack Delahunty (2014) and Mark Cameron (1998) to present to our Firsts.
Simon Dwyer (2003) was the Captain of the Firsts team and the first to play in the Richard Lornie Centre. Simon shared his fond memories of winning the U16’s ISA competition and beating SCEEGS on a half-court buzzer beater as a member of the Firsts. Simon is now a senior physiotherapist at Woy Woy Hospital and still plays basketball today in the local Breakers Indoor Stadium men's competition.
Mitch Braund (2001) shared with the team his long sporting commitments to CCGS playing six years of Basketball and also rugby. Mitch is now the Director of Accutemp Air. Jack Delahunty (2014) was House Captain for Grevillea. Jack spoke with the team about his memories of winning the ISA Grand Final and being named Player of the Year for two seasons.
A sporting highlight of Mark Cameron's (1998) schooling was when he represented the school on its first-ever Basketball and Hockey tour of New Zealand. Mark also captained the Under 17 ISA team and took up a coaching role with the under 12's basketball team in school. He now works as a financial planner leading large financial planning teams across into distribution roles.
Strong connection
CCGS alumni shared memories and triumphant stories as well as some magical sporting moments that are forever etched in their hearts.
The journey of our past students and their connection with the school doesn't end when they graduate from CCGS. Alumni spoke fondly of the friendships they made and how competing for the school gave them a sense of pride and identity.
The basketball season is now well underway. It is an honour to be selected and represent CCGS in the Firsts. Each student has shown outstanding values from responsibility, commitment and 'giving it your all' both on and off the court.
Thank you to all our dedicated Firsts and thank you to our alumni greats for passing the batten to the next generation.
