OCA Sports Day
The inaugural OCA Sports’ Day kicked off at 8.30am on Sunday 11 September. Cranbrook students and Old Cranbrookians gathered to compete against each other in Chess, Tennis, Futsal, Touch Football, Basketball and Sailing and culminated with an awards presentation on the OCA Terrace in the new Vicars Centenary Building.
The OCA Sports Day saw over 300 Old Cranbrookians, Cranbrook students and staff gather at the School for a day of sport, camaraderie and community! It was great to see support from many Old Cranbrookians
and their families who came down on the day to see sporting events played in the new facilities. Particularly, Patricia Lemaire (previously Patricia Walker) who attended with her daughter. Her brother David Walker was School Captain in ‘42 and Uncle F J Walker was one of the Founders.
A very big thanks to the Cranbrook School Sports Staff who helped coordinate the day, in particular Hayden Danks and Matthew Grice. We would also like to thank the Cranbrook Development Office for their support of the day.
We want to recognise the hard work and project leadership of Andrew Parker from the OCA Committee, who put in a champion effort to make this event a reality.
Thank you to all the students and Old Cranbrookians who participated. A special mention also to Headmaster Nick Sampson and to Dr David Thomas for being a part of this special day.
Finally, our thanks also go to the sports convenor’s Martin Cayzer (Touch Footy), Charles Zworestine (Chess), Josh Cohen (Basketball), Evan Hansimikali (Soccer), Alfie Ashton (Water Polo), Campbell McKay (Sailing) and Anthony Shumsky (Tennis).
We have the blueprint for an event which we hope will become a highlight in the OCA/School calendar. In 2023 we will be adding T20 Cricket and many other exciting improvements!
Results:
The winners of the inaugural David Thomas Cup for overall winners on the day were the Old Cranbrookians’ Association.
Basketball – OCA
“OCA Basketball was a huge success, with over 50 OCA and 20 Students participating in the new Centenary Courts. The OCA had participants ranging from Classes of 1992 through to 2021. Both courts were jam packed with exciting games throughout the morning, with a number of nail-biting fixtures taking place. The final game of the day saw the OCA Allstars taking on the 2022/23 1st’s. Although fighting hard, the OCA team was too strong for the 1sts in the Final. James Hunter and current 2nds coach Jock Jensen were the standout players in the final, showing off their deep range and athleticism.” – Josh Cohen (OC 2007), Basketball Convenor
Water Polo – OCA
Alfie Ashton, Water Polo Convenor
Futsal – Cranbrook School
“The inaugural futsal competition kicked off with 4 OCA teams and 4 school teams. In what was a sometimes heated and very competitive round robin competition, the OCA finished with the top two teams on the table. The OCA’s team played off to face the best school team in the final (not the best decision given our lack of fitness). The OCA’s early success and premature celebrations came to a shuddering halt in the final, when the school, in a Messi-like display, shone bright when it mattered most and snatched the trophy from within our firm grip. From the car park I heard cries for an 11 aside rematch, but that was not to be. Till next year.” – Evan Hansimikali, Futsal Convenor
Touch Football – OCA
“New building. New Oval. New Format. What a day!!! The OCA Sports Day. Touch Footy drew 10 x Old Boy and 2 x School teams in a 4 x pool system. Super competitive. Major upset with reigning champs 2002 (Marshall) missing the semi-finals. SF#1 – School vs School with Boarders defeating Day boys by 1 try. SF#2 2014 defeating 2019 (Smith). GF was epic touch footy. OCA 2014 (Carroll/Mahony) winning over School Boarders 2 – 1. Thanks to the School for a great day and congratulations to the Class of 2014 for winning back the Kip Cullip Trophy since their win several years back.” – Marty Cayzer, Touch Football Convenor
Sailing – Cranbrook School
“Sailing Old Cranbrookians from the 60’s, 80’s, 90’s, through to our most recent graduates, combined
and enjoyed challenging current students through to the final teams racing flight. At every course mark rounding, the race umpire was busy. The students executed a flawless sequence of manoeuvres, which saw the students break a long running drought to reclaim the regatta win.“ – Campbell McKay, Sailing Convenor
Chess – OCA
“With two teams of 8 each playing their opponents twice, the Old Boys chess team defeated the School 10-6 in a tight match that was enjoyed by all. Critical were the 2-0 wins to Shane Hill (OC 1989) on Board 1, Charles Zworestine (OC 1984) on Board 2, Blair Chapman (OC 2015) on Board 5 and Robert Krochmalik (1965) on Board 7. The match was hard fought, but the result proved crucial: ours was the final point that brought the OCA their overall 4-3 victory!” – Charles Zworestine, Chess Convenor
Tennis – Cranbrook School
“OCA vs School tennis – a one sided battle for the last 30 years with the School getting a win only 3 times in this period! The OCA started with a fantastic lead, with everything going to plan for the Old Boys as per usual. But on the day where it mattered most, the inaugural OCA Sports Day, the School rallied and came away with a victory! The Old Boys will be back stronger and better than ever in 2023.” – Anthony Shumsky, Tennis Convenor
