The Shore Sporting Conundrum

Sports Shore Should Offer

A. J. Baker

BOYS AT SHORE OFTEN FIND THEMSELVES OPTING FOR SPORTS THEY DISLIKE. However, with the introduction of a range of new options, this conundrum can be resolved.

Touch Rugby – a fast-paced entertaining sport currently offered by a few GPS schools, including Riverview.  The sport is an excellent way to maintain fitness, improve coordination and engage in rugby based sports all year round. This sport would be offered in the summer season and would be highly competitive within the GPS and Shore itself. Furthermore, it would likely draw in large crowds as it is a short game displaying immense athleticism, and schools are already equipped with grandstands to support summer touch rugby.

Hockey – again, it is a highly entertaining and fast paced sport. Shore is notorious for producing some of Sydney’s best hockey players, including CIS representative Adam W and the entire Cope family, including Lachlan C who has represented both NSW and Australian U21 teams on multiple occasions. Field Hockey as a winter sport may not attract the same numbers compared to the already dominant Soccer and Rugby. However, it would still attract a few teams, likely filled with Cricket and Tennis players. The majority of the GPS schools have extensive spaces for playing fields and Hockey would be a great use for the unoccupied land.

Volleyball – during my time at Shore, students have made admirable attempts at introducing the sport to the school’s expansive co-curricular list but, unfortunately, were unsuccessful in their pursuits. Currently all GPS schools apart from Joeys, Shore, and TAS offer the sport, with Sydney Boys High dominating, likely due to Shore’s absence. However, from what I have seen in Year 10 PDHPE with Mr Wallace, Volleyball was a class favourite, and the cohort was not short of talent. I strongly believe Shore would be dominant and may even bring home a few pendants. 

Spikeball – the 360 degree game is taking the world by storm, blowing up on social media and spawning along the NSW coastline. The game is a hybrid of volleyball and squash (another genuine sporting option) where teams of two compete against each other and use the net as a trampoline. Sets consist of 21 points and last five to ten minutes. The sport may not attract hundreds of spectators, however, the training (at Balmoral) alone would likely encourage students to join the sport. Spikeball would most definitely be a summer sport, played on the beach, including swim breaks every three sets.

ESports – for the boys who are not naturally athletic yet competitive, the introduction of ESports accommodates these boys’ needs. The sport also offers the opportunity to stay inside and deplete athletes from any Vitamin D. Additionally, wet weather considerations do not apply. On a more serious note, offering the sport presents many pathways for future careers where technology dictates society.

These five sports would be very popular and likely contribute to Shore’s sporting success.