SPORT NEWS
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
On Friday 24 July, McKinnon Secondary College students gathered at Duncan Mackinnon athletics track for the Athletics Carnival. Students of all age groups participated in multiple events across the day representing their House in an incredible way.
Highlights of the day included the Staff versus House Captains relay and the first ever McKinnon gift. Students and staff also showcased their best 2000’s outfits!
The winners of the day will be announced at the next General Assembly.
Well done to all students who participated in the day and congratulations to those who have advanced to the Kingston Division competition. It was a great celebration of the McKinnon Secondary values and spirit!
Jemma Owen
Athletics Sports Coordinator
SENIOR GIRLS SOCCER - SMR CHAMPIONS
On Tuesday 21 July the Seniors Girls Soccer team set off to Kingston Heath to compete in the Southern Metropolitan Regional finals.
After a long, hard-fought day, the girls returned victorious and undefeated from each of their games. Their first game against Frankston resulted in a 3-0 win, 2nd game against Albert Park 4-0 and finally the last of their pool games against Dromana Secondary College resulting in a 6-0 win.
The final game for the day was the grand final against Hampton Park, where the girls put in their best effort and came away with the 4-0 win, sending them through to the upcoming state finals.
Congratulations to all of the girls who played.
State finals here we come!
Harley Karro
Year 12 Student
INTERMEDIATE GIRLS SOCCER - SMR CHAMPIONS
The Intermediate Girls Soccer team has claimed the Southern Metropolitan Region (SMR) Championship in outstanding fashion, defeating their opponents 4-0 in a dominant grand final performance to book their place at the State Championships.
Their path to the title was anything but straightforward. After a strong start to the day, the team needed a big result in their final pool match to progress. They delivered in spectacular style, producing an incredible 8–0 victory to edge through on goal difference before going from strength to strength in the finals.
A huge congratulations goes to coaches Ben Muyemba (Year 12) and Damian Cabrita (Year 12), who were exceptional throughout the campaign. It was fantastic to see them coaching their younger sisters, Aby Muyemba (Year 9) and Sienna Cabrita (Year 9), who were both among the standout performers across the day.
Special thanks also to Allyson Poon (Year 10) for stepping in at the last minute to assist the team, with valuable support from Miri Karro (Year 10), who did a fantastic job as the goalkeeping coach.
It would be impossible to single out individual best players, as this group's greatest strength is the way they play for one another. Every player contributed, worked tirelessly, and put the team first, making them a wonderful group to watch.
Congratulations to the entire team on a fantastic achievement. We can't wait to see what they can accomplish at the State Championships!
Michael Woolhouse
Coach
YEAR 7 BOYS SOCCER - SMR CHAMPIONS
In a thirty-year teaching career, I have had many great days in the classroom and on the sporting fields of Southeast Melbourne and beyond. I have had the distinct pleasure and privilege of coaching many fine football teams at my time at Mckinnon Secondary College.
I distinctly recall the 2015 Senior Boys Team winning at SMR and going to State, the great Senior teams of 2018 and 2019 who made State Finals in successive years with players of the calibre of Liam Atchison amongst others. I remember with much fondness the State winning Girls team with Melina Ayres and Jemma Owen that I was fortunate to co-coach with a less hirsute David Machin.
Last year I had the pleasure of coaching a Year 8 team that was knocked out at SMR by a free kick that David Beckham would add to his highlight reel when not making ads for McDonalds. In 2026 I was given the opportunity with Damien Landini, Hamish Rose and Michael Killeen to take the Year 7 Boys Soccer Team.
Coaching boys often requires a blend of tough love, humour and persistence. I haven’t had to do this as much with the group of boys I have been fortunate enough to coach this year.
Having won the Kingston Division, I was confident but nervous at one of the great sporting cathedrals of the Southeast - Kingston Heath where the wind blows in all directions and chills you to the bone. I knew I had a good team, but you never really know whether your assessment of the squad is correct until afterwards. What I did know was that these boys were respectful, resilient and great ambassadors for the school and myself.
The first game was against Patterson River. Our warmup was strong, focused and full of chatter. I knew we would start well based on that alone but to be 4-0 up by half time (and it should have been more) was something that had to be seen to be believed. Yes, we had the wind, but the intensity was great from the boys. Patterson River scored a superb individual goal, but McKinnon scored another to make it 5-1. Everyone got on the field and the boys were rolling along with a superb team effort.
Game 2 was against Albert Park and for me it was quality wise the best game we played. The game was a tightly contested affair but the respect from both sides was evident. It was a cracking game, evenly poised at the break with Albert Park having the wind in the second half.
McKinnon came out and continued to play with a long-range shot pounced on by Lenny Ota to score, showing that all good strikers should be moving anticipating rather than reacting. Captain Henry Lyon scored a pearler from a headed clearance from just outside the box with the last kick of the game to make it 2 nil. Special shout out to Albert Park who were very competitive and respectful which was clearly something that came from the two teachers I had the pleasure of meeting.
It meant that with other results, we had to draw or win or last game to make the final. Pitted against Somerville, I implored the team to seize the initiative and take the game on. It was a cracking affair with McKinnon needing some great defence to stay in it at times before a beautiful through ball found James Rasmussen in a one on one with the keeper and he duly slotted it into the onion bag. We couldn’t put the game fully beyond Somerville’s reach such was their skill and endeavour, but the boys showed great persistence, skill and courage to keep playing.
This result meant we would play Cranbourne East in the final who had a giant keeper who was very good. They also had a giant striker who seemed quite good too. However, we had giant sized hearts, and the McKinnon boys completely dominated the opening half but could not despite their best efforts put the ball into the net. Cranbourne East almost broke through on the break but were thwarted by a strong defence and Jordan Khreish in goals.
Cranbourne East had the wind in the second half, but I knew we would create chances but had to take them. McKinnon created many and finally took one with James duly taking the opportunity. In a tense few minutes McKinnon hung on to make State.
The boys conceded one goal across 120 minutes of competition. The defence ably led by Asher Tang were superb. Owen Wong, Jonathan Kawalsky, Julian Tyler, Benji Boyarovsky, Mahimna Dave and Riley Guilfoyle did their jobs with aplomb and courage. Our midfield led by Captain Henry was superb, skilled and combative throwing their bodies on the line for the team but also playing to instructions. Jayden Goh, Adriz Tsalasi, Tyler Vun, Henry and James were relentless and full of energy. Our attack of Lenny, Archie Thomas, Alon Segev and Oliver McKeown caused havoc all day.
The squad looks forward to September, determined to enjoy the day and show the same level of skill and courage that we showed on a wet, windy, cold and miserable day at Kingston Heath but one that the boys truly light up the gloom.
A very proud coach
Jonathan Jhoomun
INTERMEDIATE BOYS BADMINTON SMR FINALS
On Friday 24 July while others attended the Athletics Sports, five boys represented the school at the SMR Inter Boys badminton in Clyde.
The boys played two matches. The first a tight 3-3 victory against Frankston 110-95. The 2nd match wasn't so easy with a defeat to Melbourne High School 6-0.
Well done to the boys.
James Bridges
Acting Coach
SENIOR BADMINTON SMR FINALS
The Senior Boys and Girls Badminton teams represented McKinnon at the Southern Metro Regional Finals on Wednesday 22 July. Both teams faced some tough competition in their pools with the Senior Boys strongly defeating Frankston High and Dromana College.
Although they gave it their all, they fell short in the game against Melbourne High, meaning they finished 2nd in their pool and 3rd overall.
Well done to Darren Gunawan (Year 11), Vasant Mogalla (Year 12), Anh Nguyen (Year 11), Bill Niu (Year 11), Steven Qiu (Year 12) and Hariram Srinivasamurthy (Year 11).
The Senior Girls also faced some challenging teams with them coming out on top against Mornington SC and Monterey SC, however, MacRob GHS was ultimately too strong with our Senior Girls finishing 2nd in their pool and 3rd overall.
Well done to Jia Kim (Year 11), Linda Li (Year 11), Ivy Ma (Year 12), Prisha Modi (Year 11), Ritanya Nigin (Year 11) and Sophie Yu (Year 12).
Congratulations to both teams for making it this far and for representing McKinnon so well.
Courtney Hungerford
Coach
SENIOR BOYS & GIRLS TABLE TENNIS SMR FINALS
After their success in Term 1 at the divisional level, the McKinnon Senior Boys and Girls Table Tennis teams travelled to Dandenong on Tuesday 28 July to compete in the SMR finals.
This year, the draw was quite tough with all top teams placed in the same pool. As a result, McKinnon was up against the likes of Melbourne High, MacRob and Nossal in both the boys and girl’s competitions in the preliminary rounds. Despite the boys securing a win against the talented Hampton Park team, they were unable to overcome Nossal and Melbourne High, crashing out in the group stage.
The girls managed to take one rubber off the highly fancy MacRob but was also eliminated along with the 3rd placed team in their group. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic effort to make it this far and everyone played their games in the true spirit of school sports.
Team members:
(Girls)
Bianka Covelli
Sophie Yu
Jessica Silberthau
Tilly Ashton-Rafferty
(Boys/Mixed)
Bailey Morgan
Jal Shah
Anton Pototskyy
Vibhan Jivanjee
Yotam Hazan
Benny Baldwin
Table Tennis Coordinator
Dr Sandy Law
JUNIOR GIRLS FOOTY SMR FINALS
The Junior Girls put in a great effort at the SMR footy day at Roy Dore Reserve in Carrum on Wednesday 29 July, coming runners up in the region.
It was a cold, windy, and rainy day in Carrum, but this didn't stop the Junior Girls footy team from getting out there and having a go! The Year 7 and 8 Girls won all three round robin games in Pool A against Wulerrp SC, Berwick SC, and Cranbourne West SC, making it to the SMR final against the winner of Pool B, an amazing effort!
Unfortunately, EMC Langwarrin were too good in the SMR final, and progressed through to states, leaving us as runners up in the region - still a tremendous result!
It was fantastic to see the team playing with great spirit, awesome teamwork, and real determination. Well done girls, you can hold your heads high!
Liam Taffe
Coach
SENIOR GIRLS NETBALL SMR FINALS
On Thursday 27 July, the Senior Girls Netball side travelled to Casey Netball Centre for regionals.
Unfortunately, we didn't start the day as we would’ve liked, having lost to Frankston Secondary, who put on a brilliant performance, making it very hard for us to fight back.
However, the rest of the day was on the up as we won our next two games against Mentone Girls and Mornington. Unfortunately, due to the fact that we lost to Frankston, we did not make it through to the final. All of the girls fought hard and put in their best throughout the day, but we wouldn’t have played as well as we did if it weren’t for our amazing coach, Ms Schmidt.
Olivia Smith
Year 12 Student