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CO-CURRICULAR 214 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 When I first joined a tennis team at the College in Year 5, I believed that the captaincy was awarded to the player with the most accolades or the highest skill on the court. However, after being honoured with the role of Tennis Captain for 2024, I have come to realise that my own skills as a player are far from the best. Through my experiences and maturation over the years, I have learned that the role of a captain extends beyond individual on-court success. It is, in fact, a reflection of one’s enthusiasm, involvement, and respect for the values that embody the spirit of our school. I have come to appreciate that tennis at St Patrick’s College is not solely about being the best player, but rather about having fun and making the most of this limited yet invaluable opportunity. Reflecting on my eight years of experience, I have also realised that while tennis is often regarded as an individual sport, it is the collective support and contributions from all players that truly foster the development of our skills. Despite the challenges posed by frequent rain which limited our playtime, the support from coaches, teachers, parents, and teammates has been instrumental in making this season one of the most memorable of my time at the college. I would like to begin by recognising my First IV teammates – Lucas Martin, Matthew Bechara, Peter Geagea, and Kevin Low. Their exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and commitment to success assure me that they will continue to uphold the values of St Patrick’s and help guide the school towards further achievements. I also wish to acknowledge the efforts of our Division 2 and Division 10 teams, who competed valiantly throughout the season and narrowly lost in the Independent Sporting Association finals. To my Year 12 peers – Quentin Zhou, Oliver O’Rourke, Adam Feng, Jaiken Poon, and Yun Yi – I extend my deepest thanks for your unwavering commitment to the tennis program. Your dedication over the past eight years has been truly inspiring, and I hope you will cherish the memories of our time together for years to come. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the coaches who have guided us throughout this journey: Ms Chen, Mr Chon, Miss Ho, Mr Svicarovich, and Mr Papavramidis. Thank you for your dedication and for sacrificing your afternoons and Saturday mornings to ensure that each tennis experience was as enriching as possible. A special mention must also go to our head coach, Mr Fontana, who has been an integral part of my development as a player since Year 7. His tireless efforts behind the scenes have been a key factor in the success of this season. Without the support of these coaches, this tennis season would not have been possible. Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the parents and families who wake up early every Saturday morning to transport us to our fixtures. Your unwavering support and sacrifices have allowed us to enjoy this wonderful experience, and we are truly grateful. Once again, I extend my thanks to Mr Fontana, the coaching staff, and all my teammates for their commitment to the sport. I wish you all the best in the seasons to come. TENNIS CAPTAIN Kieran Low Tennis Captain Owen Leung, Christopher Mok, Kieran Low And Kevin Low Owen Leung (Year 9) Hitting A Forehand

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