Fisher Shield Girls Basketball: St Pauls vs St Marks

Keep up-to-date with the victories, the losses, and the dates of upcoming matches between James Cook University students and their rival colleges, faculties and fellow peers in the numerous sporting competitions held throughout the semester.

By Gabrielle Vacher.

Fisher Shield:
The Swimming Carnival held on Saturday 8th March was the launch of the 2014 Fisher Shield, a year-round
competition challenging college students to contest on the sporting field and on the stage later during the
year.

John Flynn College conquered the carnival.

“Our star swimmers were Will Lane and Sidony Miller-Waugh, who had previously swam at a national level,
plus Tom Richards and Annabel Fraser who competed at state,” John Flynn College Sporting Rep, Sky
Brunker says.

“As indicated by these students’ status we dominated in most events, however the boys did have some
tough competition from the other colleges and weren’t able to take out first.

“The girls ended up winning the entire competition and thanks to the tremendous effort put in by everyone,
John Flynn was able to take out the win for the first Fisher Shield event.”

Fisher Shield Basketball culminated last Wednesday 18th March after George Roberts Hall was defeated in
both the male and female finals by University Hall and Saint Marks.

“It sucks, of course. This would’ve been our sixth year winning the grand final.

“Saints won because of their offensive rebounds, as well as their transition basketball.

“Although we shut down some of their transitions we couldn’t convert it at our end of the court,” captain of
the George Roberts Hall female basketball team Katii Batty says.

“Special mention to Saints team captain Althea, for taking charge on the court by creating their offensive
moves and dictating the game.

“From our team, Steph Clay played exceptionally for only her second time on the basketball court.

“As vice-captain of our team she stepped up and helped lead the girls by example. She put her body on the
line repeatedly and was always hungry for the ball.”

Those who are interested in witnessing the remarkably fierce competition of intense college rivalry and impressive sporting prowess are welcome join the college crowd at the JCU pool for Water Polo on Saturday 29th March.

Alternatively, watch the guys and the girls get rough on the JCU Oval in the first game of Fisher Shield Rugby next Wednesday 2nd April.

Inter Faculty Sport:
Ever pondered over who would dominate in a sporting match between Vet students vs. Law students?

Would the Education students beat the Engineering students?

Are the Exercise Science students a sure win against the Medical students?

Inter Faculty touch continues on Wednesday 26th March.

Support your fellow classmates or put your curious mind at ease and watch the finals on Friday 28th March to
determine which faculty is the quickest and nimblest on the touch field.

Social Sport:
Combining the guys, the girls, the university students and the general public, social sport is in its third week
of contest.

There is sport suited to every preference with soccer, touch, netball and basketball held every Monday night,
and volleyball and tennis held every Thursday night.

Social Sport continues until the end of the semester providing plenty of opportunities to put down the books
and relax watching local competitors contend in your favourite match.

 

The 6th Exercise & Sport Science Australia and Sports Dieticians Australia conference ‘Research to Practice’ is to be held in Adelaide from April 10 to 12.

(Image Credit: ESSA Website)

Tamara Woolley’s soccer-based Honours research project is a ‘keeper’.

By Gabrielle Vacher

Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Science graduate Tamara Woolley is the first JCU student to be selected as a finalist for the Aspire Academy Young Investigator Award.

Tamara was chosen after submitting an abstract of her soccer-based Honours research project to the Committee of the Research to Practice conference to be held in Adelaide from April 10 to 12.

Her Honours project and contending presentation is titled ‘The Effect of Spatial Manipulation on Goalkeepers’ Anticipation of a Penalty Kick in Soccer’.

“It’s basically a study about the eye movements of a goalkeeper, observing where they’re looking when they’re trying to block the soccer ball from the goal, and then analysing how they can improve,” Tamara says.

Research to Practice is a biennial event organised by Exercise & Sports Science Australia and Sports Dieticians Australia, and is seen as an exceptional opportunity for both students and graduates to aid with professional development and networking.

The three-day conference implements a strong scientific program comprised of expert panels, interactive sessions, workshops, and presentations regarding Sports Science, Exercise Science, Nutrition, and Exercise is Medicine.

It attracts a number of high-level speakers, national exhibitors and representatives from multiple health associations.

JCU lecturer and Honours supervisor Robert Crowther encouraged Tamara to apply for the award.

“No JCU Sport & Exercise student has made the finalists or been nominated, it is quite a new award,” Robert says.

“Tamara will be up against some strong competition, but her topic is novel and it should be a good presentation.”

Of the nine awards bestowed at Research to Practice, the Aspire Academy Young Investigator Award is open to both current university students and students enrolled in the 2013 calendar year, granting $4000 prize money to the winner and $1000 to the runner-up.

A well-regarded committee has been appointed to undertake the judging of the finalist’s presentations on the basis of scientific quality, novelty, and potential impact.

“I am pretty nervous about speaking and presenting in front of such a massive crowd, but having the opportunity to further my studies and interact with such a wide range of professionals in my field will definitely make the experience worthwhile,” Tamara said.

To find out more about the Research to Practice conference, head to: Exercise Sports and Science Australia.