Sporting News

2025 Diocesan Swimming Carnival – A Showcase of Talent and Determination

The 2025 Diocesan Swimming Carnival at Alstonville Aquatic Centre was a true test of resilience, as competitors braved persistent rain to showcase their talent in the pool. Despite the wet weather, students remained focused and enthusiastic, diving into each event with determination and representing their schools with pride.

Among the competitors were Clarence Dougherty, Lola Dougherty, Reed Batinovic, Hudson Batinovic, Josie Chapman, Ella Horton, Deja Little, Sanne Little, Stella Skeels, Georgia Skeels, Sophie Sutherland, Kyden Jones, Henry McGrath, Archie Pope, and Taj Angelo. Together, they celebrated outstanding displays of sportsmanship, skill, and school spirit throughout the day.

Event Highlights:

• Clarence Dougherty delivered a standout performance in the 12 Years division, taking home four impressive wins in the 100m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly, and 50m Breaststroke. He was named 12 Years Age Champion.
  
  
• Archie Pope shone in the 14 Years division, securing first place in the 50m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke, and second in the 50m Butterfly. He placed in the top four in all his events and was awarded 14 Years Runner-Up Age Champion.
  
  
• In the same age division, Stella Skeels impressed with a win in the 50m Backstroke, while Sophie Sutherland delivered strong swims, placing second in several of her events. Stella was named 14 Years Girls Runner-Up Age Champion.
  
  
• Lola Dougherty, also in the 12 Years division, had an excellent meet, securing a win in the 50m Breaststroke and placing in the top four across all events.
  
  
• Hudson Batinovic dominated the 17 Years and Over category, winning the 50m and 100m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly, 50m and 100m Breaststroke, and 50m and 100m Backstroke. He placed in the top four in every event and was crowned 17+ Age Champion.
  
  
• A special mention goes to our Junior Girls Relay Team—Stella, Ella, Sophie, and Deja—who came away with an impressive second place in the 4x50m Freestyle Relay.
  
  

Adding to the significance of the day, long-time Clarence Valley swimming coach Al Patterson attended as a special guest, sharing his encouragement and experience with the swimmers.

Congratulations to Hudson, Archie, and Stella on their outstanding individual results, and to our Boys’ All-Age 6x50m Freestyle Relay Team—Clarence, Reed, Kydan, Archie, Taj, and Hudson—who have all qualified to represent Lismore Diocese at the State Titles in Homebush, Sydney.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated parents and supporters who stood strong in the rain to cheer on our athletes. Rain or shine, the Diocesan Swimming Carnival remains a highlight of the school sporting calendar—celebrating skill, perseverance, and the spirit of our swimming community.

NSWCCC – Combined Catholic Colleges Swimming Championships

On the 26th and 27th of March, the NSWCCC Swimming Championships were held at Homebush, Sydney. Congratulations to Hudson Batinovic, Archie Pope, and Stella Skeels, who all competed in individual events representing the Lismore Diocese. They were joined by our Boys’ All-Age 6x50m Freestyle Relay Team—Clarence Dougherty, Reed Batinovic, Kydan Jones, Archie Pope, Taj Angelo, and Hudson Batinovic. The team did regional NSW proud, with all swimmers achieving impressive personal bests.

Results:

Boys’ All-Age 6x50m Freestyle Relay
6th Place

Archie Pope
• 50m Backstroke – 6th
• 50m Freestyle – 6th
• 50m Butterfly – 9th

Stella Skeels
• 100m Backstroke – 12th
• 50m Backstroke – 14th

Hudson Batinovic
• 100m Backstroke – Silver
• 50m Backstroke – Bronze
• 100m Freestyle – Bronze
• 50m Freestyle – 6th
• 50m Butterfly – 6th
• 100m Butterfly – 8th

Congratulations to Hudson, who has now qualified to represent the NSWCCC team at the NSW All Schools Championships next term. All your hard work has paid off – well done!

Netball – Lismore Diocesan Trials

Well done to the following girls: Taya Murphy, Ashlea Blair, Amelia Fels, Ava Whiley, and Emily Dick, who were selected from over 70 participants to trial for the top 20 in the Lismore Diocese. These trials, held in Coffs Harbour on Friday, 4th April, featured students from across the region—from Port Macquarie to Tweed—in both the 15s and Opens age groups.

A special congratulations to Ava Whiley, who was successfully selected for the Lismore Opens team. Ava will now travel to Sydney in late May to trial for the Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) team.