Kristy Reed | Head of Sport | PDHPE Teacher

The David Horwitz Rugby 7s Challenge Shield is now a regular fixture for many schools in our sporting associations and the local area. The Emanuel initiative had another successful season this year with six schools playing in the competition, across three divisions. The three-night series involved junior, intermediate and senior age divisions, with Emanuel entering teams into each of the categories. The tournament included games against Kesser Torah College, Masada College, Moriah College, Reddam House and St Andrew’s Cathedral School.

The three Emanuel teams had been preparing for this tournament since the beginning of the winter season through weekly training sessions. Many of the boys in the junior squad were new to rugby and this tournament provided the perfect opportunity for them put their training to the test and to gain some much needed game experience. The team played exceptionally well, showing great team and school spirit. Well done to Arthur Drannikov, Justin Faul, Saul Galambos, Samuel Milner, Luca Moses, Gavin Robinson, Mahley Rosen-Tal, Jarah Weinstein and Zac Weizman.

The intermediate boys team had a little more experience as the majority of the squad played in this tournament in 2017. This experience proved to be vital, leading to some exciting tries. Congratulations to Ariel Berger, Alan Drannikov, Jonathan Eremeev, Alon Erez-Rein, Ari Karjalainen, Jesse Koslowski, Max Kidman, Oscar Morgan, Jonathan Naiger, Jared Robinson, Benjamin Torban and Adam Winter.

For many of the senior boys, this was event is the highlight of the representative sport program and the school year. It proved to be a fantastic school sporting experience, providing them with fond memories. Special guests from the Waratahs visited the team prior to their first match, providing them with motivation, encouragement and also a few tips on the game. Although the St Andrews and Moriah teams proved to be too strong for the Emanuel boys, they all played with exceptional determination and sportsmanship. Well done to Jake Anthony, Leo Carroll, Dylan Herdan, Ari Karjalainen, Jake Kurlansky, Blake Nixon, Max Leveton, Adam Riesel, Ben Shapiro, Liahm Simon and Timothy Troyanovsky.

The tournament ended with the presentations from official guests from the Horwitz family, Randwick Rugby, and former Wallaby, Russell Fairfax. I would like to congratulate all players on their effort and thank Heath Morley for coaching the Emanuel teams and Sharon Fairfax for her assistance at the events.

Emanuel Intermediate Ruby Team

David Horwitz Rugby 7s Challenge

Emanuel Junior Rugby Team