As a program, we continue to build a culture where boys enjoy their training, embrace competition and challenge themselves to improve. While results are important, our focus remains on getting as many boys involved as possible and helping them understand the role they play in contributing to the success of the team. There is still plenty of work ahead of us, but this year’s championships demonstrated what can be achieved when commitment, consistency and effort become part of the process.

One of the highlights of the day was the performance of our Under 16 age group, which finished as the highest-performing age group in the APS for the second consecutive year. This is an outstanding achievement and a credit to the dedication these boys have shown over a number of years. Their commitment to training and willingness to compete in a wide range of events has created a standard that younger athletes in the program can aspire to.

There were a number of exceptional individual performances throughout the championships, with Brighton Grammar athletes collecting APS titles and medals across a range of events.

Special congratulations to our APS Champions and medallists:

• Teddy B (Under 16) – APS Champion in the high jump, long jump and shot put; silver medallist in the triple jump and bronze medallist in the 100m.

Teddy’s long jump of 6.72m established a new APS Under 16 long jump record. Having already held the APS Under 14 high jump record when in Year 7, Teddy now holds both the APS horizontal and vertical jump records simultaneously. This is an extraordinary achievement that highlights his versatility and already places him among the most accomplished athletes the APS has produced.

• Archie S (Under 16) – APS Champion in both the 800m and 1500m.
• Leo R (Under 15) – APS Champion in the triple jump.
• Leo R (Open MC) – APS Champion in the 100m, 200m, long jump and shot put.
• Mitchell C (Open) – Silver medallist in the triple jump.
• Nayan S (Under 17) – Silver medallist in the shot put and bronze medallist in the discus.
• Jesper B (Under 17) – Silver medallist in the 1500m.
• Ned L (Under 15) – Bronze medallist in the long jump.

Congratulations to all of these boys on their achievements. It was terrific to see their hard work rewarded on the APS stage.

While these individual performances deserve recognition, athletics is ultimately a team sport. I would like to make particular mention of the boys who competed up an age group on Finals Day. They willingly took on stronger and more experienced opposition for the benefit of the team and their contribution was invaluable. It is never easy stepping outside your comfort zone, but these boys embraced the challenge and demonstrated a genuine team-first attitude.

It was also great to see so many boys step up across individual events, relays and unfamiliar disciplines to support their teammates. Every effort mattered, and these contributions are what help build a strong team culture. I am incredibly proud of the way the boys represented the School and supported one another throughout APS Finals Day.

Thank you to all the boys, coaches and families for their support throughout the season. There are plenty of reasons to be excited about where Brighton Grammar Athletics is heading. I look forward to seeing what BGS can achieve together in the seasons ahead.

Lachlan Connell
Head of Athletics