The school for study and for sporting success, too

When the students at Haileybury Rendall School set their minds to achieving something, they give it their all. They stay focused, work hard, practice diligently, reflect on their progress and strive to improve.

At HRS, there are abundant opportunities to be challenged and inspired in and outside the classroom. This is especially true of the many different sporting opportunities available for students.

Here we shine a spotlight on some of our School’s promising sports stars, showcasing their dedication, the effort they put in to achieve their goals, and their hopes and dreams for the future.

A champion at school and in the pool

Most mornings, while other 14-year-olds are tucked up in bed, Macey (Year 9) is in the pool working on her swimming strokes. She completes six gruelling two-hour early morning sessions each week and builds her strength at the gym.

This year, Macey won the NT Junior Sportsperson of the Year award which is given to a junior athlete who has achieved outstanding results in national or international competition. At the 2023 Australian Age Swimming Championships, Macey won gold and national titles in: 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly.

At this year’s Australian Age Swimming Championships, Macey won five gold medals and a silver and set four new records for the Northern Territory.

“I love competing and enjoy the thrill of pushing my limits and never knowing what will happen. It’s a great feeling to finish a race and to know you’ve achieved what you wanted to. Swimming gives me so many opportunities and helps me become the best version of myself.”

Indigenous talent honoured as top young athlete

Lalwa (Year 12) is also earning a reputation as a hard-working athlete with opportunities ahead of her. Lalwa became the first Indigenous rider to represent Australia in showjumping after competing at the 2023 World Clubs Tournament in France last year, when she was 16 years old.

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to ride in such a huge and prestigious international event. Equestrian sports in Europe are big business and draw huge crowds and high standards in horses and riders. It was such a privilege to experience that and to begin to understand what international competition entails,” says Lalwa.

She began riding when she was nine after her late grandmother gave her a pony. She now trains three times a week, coaches other young riders, competes at weekends and has her heart set on an Olympic spot in Brisbane in 2032.

“It’s a long and difficult road to get to international competition. I need to graduate Year 12, perhaps do tertiary study and then find a way to access more training and development. It may be a few years and a lot of hard work before I can get to international competition,” says Lalwa.

Lalwa also enjoys encouraging a love of horses and showjumping in young riders at the Darwin Horse and Pony Club where she is a mentor and happily shares her expertise.

Honing her skills on the hockey pitch

Continuing HRS’s passion for sport and performing at the highest level, Molly (Year 9) is a whizz with a hockey stick and has been honing her skills on the hockey pitch since she was six years old.

“I started because a friend was playing, and loved hockey from my first training session. I’ve met so many incredible people and have created a community around me,” says Molly, who plays for Nightcliff Tigers Hockey Club in U16s and Premier League.

She currently represents the Northern Territory in the U16 and U14 age groups.

Finding a niche in Netball

Hayley (Year 10) began playing netball with her friends at the end of the year in Year 3.

“I’d moved around a lot of sports and hadn’t found ‘my’ sport. Once I played my first netball game, I absolutely loved it and decided to join for the next season and I haven’t looked back since then,” she says.

Hayley plays for Nightcliff Netball Club and enjoys the camaraderie and high intensity.

“When I’m on court I just do what is best for my team — I don’t worry about schoolwork or personal issues. I just go out there and play — and hopefully win the game!” says Hayley.

She has competed in the U15s in Perth, in the U17s in Victoria and also the U15s competition on the Gold Coast. Hayley plays Goal Attack, and her favourite player is Kierra Austins from the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) team, Melbourne Vixens, who plays the same position.

“She dominates on the court with her amazing accuracy and awareness, as well as her teamwork and encouragement. I hope to become like her one day and to be selected for the Australian Diamonds (that’s our national netball team),” says Hayley.

State superstars across the sporting codes

HRS is also home to a budding national cricketer, Rithun (Year 8), who was inspired to start playing cricket by his father who often took him to watch matches and explained the strategies and nuances of the game.

“I’d watch cricket matches on TV with him and his enthusiasm and knowledge deepened my interest. His support and encouragement were instrumental in nurturing my love for cricket and motivated me to take up the sport,” says Rithun.

Rithun plays for the Waratah Cricket Club, and he represented the Northern Territory in the U12 National Championship last year. The team won a bronze medal. Currently, he is part of the U15 development team, and he has recently been chosen for the NT U17 development team and will compete in the National Championship in January 2025.

A love of all things AFL inspired Marika (Year 10) to play football — that and the enjoyment she gets from playing alongside her teammates. Marika plays for the Palmerston Magpies and is also in the prestigious Northern Territory Academy where she plays for the Allies.

“I enjoy the bond I have with the players and coaches, and how they treat me like family,” she says.

Marika’s favourite footballer is Shai Bolton, the dual premiership player with Richmond Football Club from Melbourne.

“He’s an amazing forward and centre player. He’s not very tall but he can fly high and catch the ball and his speed and ability to get the ball is amazing to watch. He inspires me to try all those things in my footy,” says Marika.

It seems that no matter what sport they turn their hand to, HRS students are determined to make their mark in the future, and with a multitude of sports on offer at the School, every student can find a sport that inspires them.