by Matt | Feb 4, 2022 | MTB Academy, Sports
Welcome, Nick Verhoeven.
The Cathedral School is proud to welcome Mr. Nick Verhoeven as the new Mountain Bike Academy Coordinator.
Head of Junior School, Mr. Luke Baills highlighted Nick’s enthusiasm for the sport and strong organisation skills as key factors of his appointment “Nick is passionate for the sport of mountain biking and is a highly organised and connected member of the North Queensland community. We are excited to support Nick as he builds on the outstanding work of Charlize Penny, Jesse Smith, and Tom Hollis (founding students of the MTB Academy in 2020)”.
Nick also has a connection with the school through his daughter Alyssa who is currently studying Year 12 at Cathedral.
“A little about me… I am married and the father of three children, Alyssa, and twins Shannon and Jordan.” Nick said. “I was originally involved in Athletics, represented Australia at the 1990 Oceania Games in Fiji and spent some time at Penn State University in the USA. Following a few injuries, I took up riding, specifically Mountain biking due to it being more nature based and allowing for exploration on dirt roads and trails. I generally compete in Mountain Bike races over 70km in length across the country and ride a Single-Speed, ie No Gears.”
Locals may also know of Nick via his involvement with Townsville financial business Hallerwealth over the past 21 years. “After a long career in the Finance Industry, I was looking for a change in lifestyle and a position I could bring my passion for riding, being active, and enjoying the outdoors. I had originally planned to take six months off and plan for the next challenge, but after only two months, this incredible opportunity arrived. The fact this position became available at an amazing school was just a bonus.” said Nick. “The reason I love Mountain biking is that it allows an outlet to the crazy, busy, and stressful life we all live in. Riding is my meditation and allows me to forget about work, deadlines, everything that is happening in the world, and just focus on the trail whilst enjoying the outdoors and all it offers.”
“My aim for the Academy is to allow an avenue for all students to get involved in an activity that is not only fun and healthy but can literally take you places, either riding to school or the shops, riding for pleasure, or getting involved in races locally or other locations in Australia, or around the world. Mountain Biking is a Commonwealth and Olympic sport so the opportunities are endless!”
Pictured: Nick competing at the Mackay Mountain Marathon.
“My aim for the Academy is to allow an avenue for all students to get involved in an activity that is not only fun and healthy but can literally take you places, either riding to school or the shops, riding for pleasure, or getting involved in races locally or other locations in Australia, or around the world. Mountain Biking is a Commonwealth and Olympic sport so the opportunities are endless!”
The MTB Academy is open to all students Prep to Year 12. All you need is a can-do attitude, a bike (any bicycle), helmet and a smile. If you don’t have a bike or helmet, Cycle de Vie can give you all the help you need with 1% of all sales coming back to the Academy.
Pictured: Nick working hard all the way to finish the 2020 Paluma Push.
by Matt | Aug 24, 2021 | Rowing, Sports
Another Sensational Win For Team Cathedral
It was another sterling performance by The Cathedral School Rowing Team at this year’s Head Of The River Regatta in Townsville, winning overall school, and bringing home three of the four oars. The team delivered a swag of medals and capped off a magnificent career for retiring Head Coach, Stephan Muhlenberg.
After 21 Finals, the team finished with:
11 x First Place
13 x Second
8 x Third
7 x Fourth
7 x Fifth
Rowing Co-ordinator’s Report
“This regatta was one of our biggest point scorers with some finals of 3, 4, or 5 Cathedral crews/rowers. Everyone really gave it their all. I am always so impressed with the back-to-back racing of many of our rowers and the way they approach this challenge. What we find is that at States, when races are spread over three days our rowers are well prepared to do well, their endurance showing.
Well done to the Open Girls eight, you looked smooth and won convincingly. I think this will be the strongest girls eight heading off to States since the 2008 crew, which came 5th in the States final and was hot on the heels of the Big Brisbane Girls schools.
I was also so proud of the Boys Open Eight who raced a very tight race and gave their all to try to bring home the fourth trophy Oar for the day for Cathedral. I know how disappointed they were. We can’t win all the time and Grammar has put a lot of effort and priority on their Eight this year.
Well done also to the second Boys eight who came a healthy second and due to illness included three Year 9 rowers. Great Heart boys !
Those invited to row at State will have been sent their eCat invitation today. Only those students going to States, will now train in the lead up to States. This includes one Eight 8 boys quad, two Year 8 girls quads, two Year 9 Boys quads, a Year 10 boys double, Five Year 11 Boys and the Girls Eight. States is always about taking your strongest crews, and doubling up in some year groups where there is depth.
Work hard for those rowing on. If you are not, well done for your local season and your commitment to the program. Everyone should be so proud of TEAM CATHEDRAL.”
Regards, Katrina Wilshire.
Thank you to Photography Contributors: Trudy Stewart & Katrina Wilshire.
by Matt | Jul 1, 2021 | Rowing, Sports
Head Coaches Report
“The Cathedral School Rowers have returned from the Central Queensland State Titles with a swag of medals which is fantastic. We returned as the strongest CQ School team with 15 gold, 8 silver, and 4 bronze medals, won by a team of 50 athletes and 8 coaches. The combined performance of Townsville Rowing which includes Ignatius Park, St Pat’s, and St Margaret’s rowing program is very impressive.
The 2000km road trip had everyone excited and neither rain, wind, cold, or a capsized 1x could spoil the mood. Congratulation to all Cathedral Rowers, their parents, and their coaches. I would like to thank our parents and our great team of coaches, and Katrina Wilshire as program co-ordinator for making it all happen, as well as the Townsville & J.C.U. Rowing Club for their support. There were no complaints, just lots of smiles and laughter – maybe the 30 warm beanies donated by Isi Egan’s Nanna played a part in it! A big thank you also to Tina and Dougal Cox who assisted us in so many ways. Once again the politeness of the Cathedral Students was praised by the kitchen staff.
One final word on our new rowers who had their very first away regatta. Our Year 8 and 9 students dominated in their events in a mature and very competitive way. They handled the conditions well – in some cases the shortage of boats, due to back-to-back events in the same boat class, as well as too many boats progressing caused delays… That’s not a bad problem to have! Thank you also to our senior athletes and their great attitude, leading by example and delivering some really exciting and medal-winning races. Enjoy your break (but not too much) and keep moving.”
Stephan Muhlenberg.
Read the full results from the State Titles here.
by tcstownsville | Nov 11, 2020 | Boarder, NEWS, Sports
Cathedral’s Grace Abdy (Yr 10) is making a name for herself in a field beyond Cathedral’s gates, enjoying success at Indoor Cricket all the way to the national level.
Grace has been playing representative cricket for four years and is currently a member of the Queensland Under 17 Indoor Cricket Team. The Cloncurry boarder got a taste for the sport in backyard cricket sessions at the age of eight playing with her father and her two siblings. “My family really liked cricket, and my Dad really liked it so I got in to it,” she said.
From these humble beginnings, Grace names the experience she is most grateful for as her first representative state cricket carnival at the age of 11, where she played in the Presidents 11 team with her coach, Mr Conroy. She said she went into the carnival not knowing any rules of the game, yet by the end of the carnival she was able to play a competitive game of cricket. Grace believes her commitment to the sport and her determination shown at training sessions is what sets her apart from the other players. Coming to Townsville and boarding at Cathedral has opened many opportunities for Grace, as before this living in Cloncurry, it was a struggle to receive proper coaching and training.
Grace currently plays for the Under 15 Northern Flames, the Under 17 Wanderers and the C grade teams for the Wanderers Mens’ Cricket Team – a staggering line-up, but one she enjoys. “By playing against boys and occasionally the men, it has made me really competitive and has held my cricket to a standard and has given me competition and helped improve me,” she said.
Grace’s cricketing idols are Michael Hussy and Beth Mooney, and they inspire her daily. She said that the driving force behind cricket was definitely her dad, Allan Abdy, and with his encouragement she has been lucky enough to attend many cricket carnivals in Mackay, Brisbane, Ipswich and right here in Townsville. When asked if she sees cricket as being a part of her future, her response is: “I only wish to play the best version of cricket I possibly can, enjoy the game while I have the chance to, and see where it takes me.”
The aspect Grace enjoys most about playing in a team is her teammates. “You will always have mates to fall back on and that it gives me responsibility, as I have got to perform at my best for the team to do their best,” she said.
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Grace has been playing representative cricket for four years and is currently a member of the Queensland Under 17 Indoor Cricket Team. The Cloncurry boarder got a taste for the sport in backyard cricket sessions at the age of eight playing with her father and her two siblings. “My family really liked cricket, and my Dad really liked it so I got in to it,” she said.
From these humble beginnings, Grace names the experience she is most grateful for as her first representative state cricket carnival at the age of 11, where she played in the Presidents 11 team with her coach, Mr Conroy. She said she went into the carnival not knowing any rules of the game, yet by the end of the carnival she was able to play a competitive game of cricket. Grace believes her commitment to the sport and her determination shown at training sessions is what sets her apart from the other players. Coming to Townsville and boarding at Cathedral has opened many opportunities for Grace, as before this living in Cloncurry, it was a struggle to receive proper coaching and training.
Grace currently plays for the Under 15 Northern Flames, the Under 17 Wanderers and the C grade teams for the Wanderers Mens’ Cricket Team – a staggering line-up, but one she enjoys. “By playing against boys and occasionally the men, it has made me really competitive and has held my cricket to a standard and has given me competition and helped improve me,” she said.
Grace’s cricketing idols are Michael Hussy and Beth Mooney, and they inspire her daily. She said that the driving force behind cricket was definitely her dad, Allan Abdy, and with his encouragement she has been lucky enough to attend many cricket carnivals in Mackay, Brisbane, Ipswich and right here in Townsville. When asked if she sees cricket as being a part of her future, her response is: “I only wish to play the best version of cricket I possibly can, enjoy the game while I have the chance to, and see where it takes me.”
The aspect Grace enjoys most about playing in a team is her teammates. “You will always have mates to fall back on and that it gives me responsibility, as I have got to perform at my best for the team to do their best,” she said.
by tcstownsville | Jul 9, 2020 | NEWS, Sports
Brooke Davis (Yr 10), along with Caitlin Weston (Yr 9) went down to Brisbane this month to try out for the Queensland Field Hockey Under 15s Team, along roughly 55 other girls from around the state.
Brooke admits to feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement at the experience. “Mum was there for support, but once I was on the field and started playing, nerves went away,” Brooke said. Brooke ended up being selected for the state team, but plans are on hold due to the current pandemic.
Brooke started playing the sport in HPE whilst in Junior School, and she really enjoyed it. She now plays in under-15s for local team, Wests, in a mid-field position. She trains twice a week unless preparing for a big competition when she trains four to five times a week.
Brooke admits to feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement at the experience. “Mum was there for support, but once I was on the field and started playing, nerves went away,” Brooke said. Brooke ended up being selected for the state team, but plans are on hold due to the current pandemic.
Brooke started playing the sport in HPE whilst in Junior School, and she really enjoyed it. She now plays in under-15s for local team, Wests, in a mid-field position. She trains twice a week unless preparing for a big competition when she trains four to five times a week.
