About Secondary Sport

The Wollongong Diocesan Sports Council is a body representative of the Catholic Education Office, Principals and Sports Coordinators from all systemic and congregational secondary schools in the Wollongong Diocese. The Sports Council meets five times a year to coordinate inter-school sports activities and facilitate the representative pathways open to our students and teachers. All schools are represented at these meetings and contribute to decisions effecting policy and sporting structures. Teaching staff are essential to the program using their talents and sporting background to fill positions of sport conveners, coaches, managers, selectors and officials. 

MEETING DATES FOR 2024

Wednesday 31 January 1pm - 3pm
Wednesday 1 May  1pm - 3pm
Thursday 25 July 1pm - 3pm
Monday 12 August 9am - 3pm
Friday 25 October 9am - 3pm

 

SCHOOL SPORT GUIDELINES - DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG SPORTS COUNCIL

Secondary schools in the Wollongong Diocese are listed below. 

SYSTEMIC SCHOOLS

ALBION PARK
St Joseph's Catholic High School

BELLAMBI
Holy Spirit College
NARELLAN
Magdalene Catholic College
NOWRA
St John the Evangelist Catholic High School
ROSEMEADOW
John Therry Catholic College
VAROVILLE
Mount Carmel Catholic College
OAK FLATS
Corpus Christi Catholic High School
ORAN PARK
St Benedict's Catholic College

EDMONDSON PARK K-12
St Francis Catholic College

 

CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOLS

CAMPBELLTOWN
St Patrick's College
WEST WOLLONGONG
Edmund Rice College 
WOLLONGONG
St Mary Star of the Sea College

CAMDEN
Mater Dei 



 

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT

In the Diocese of Wollongong, secondary schools are invited to participate in annual carnivals for Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics.  These major events also serve as a selection process for Wollongong diocesan teams. 

Wollongong Diocese will also select teams in the sports of Touch (15's and Opens), Football (Open's) and Rugby League (Girls 16year, Boys 15's and Opens). Other Championship days across a number of sports take place without teams being selected.

A preliminary trial for boys AFL will take place as the first step for the NSWCCC selection pathway. This trial will be open to students from WollongongCanberra/Goulburn and Parramatta Diocese for selection in a southern country team to compete at the final NSWCCC trials in May. A similar preliminary trial will take place in the 16's girls rugby league where a southern country team will be selected to participate in the NSWCCC selection trials. Details about both of these events can be found under the Events Secondary tab.

All other sports offer pathways but require individual nomination and trials for NSWCCC selection. Details about these trials and how to register are available on the Catholic Schools NSW Sport website 

Students may progress from school level, to Diocesan, to NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC), to NSW All Schools and ultimately national level in selected sports. Find out more

Information about NSWCCC sports and registrations can be found at this link.

All parents must be directed to Sports Publicity and Permission page on this site, prior to their children participating in representative sport.

ONLINE REGISTRATION AND STUDENT LEVIES FOR INDIVIDUAL NSWCCC EVENTS & DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS

Students wishing to register for individual events in AFL, Baseball, Basketball, Cricket, Diving, Football Boys 16 years, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Softball, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball and Water Polo MUST visit the new https://csnsw.sport/,  to register student details online.

The same process will apply for students who gain selection in Wollongong teams for swimming, cross country, athletics, touch, football and rugby league. DO NOT REGISTER A STUDENT UNTIL THEY ARE SELECTED IN THE WOLLONGONG TEAM.

Every student who competes at NSWCCC level must register for the sport they intend competing in. This registration process will require you to log on, set up an account if you have not already got one or update your current account details. From there parents/carers can enter relevant details to register their child. Once on the website listed above click into the 'Register MY CHILD' icon for instructions on how to register.

https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents

          

This registration process will require you to log on, set up an account if you have not already got one or update your current account details. From there parents/carers can enter relevant details to register their child. 

Registering online will provide information about the CCC event, enable payment of the carnival levy and the ordering of any rep gear. It will also enable both the parents and school Principal to give online consent. This will mean that no money or consent forms will be required to be taken to the school office. 

For all individual and team sports, Wollongong athletes will participate at a NSWCCC trial or championship day.

The NSWCCC is comprised of 10 Dioceses including: 

  • Armidale
  • Bathurst
  • Broken Bay
  • Canberra/Goulburn
  • Lismore
  • Maitland/Newcastle
  • Parramatta
  • Wagga
  • Wilcannia/Forbes
  • Wollongong

The Arch Diocese of Sydney has undergone some changes and will implement regional pathway selections for students who normally accessed pathways through their associations. The only association to still be in action for 2024 is the Catholic Girls Secondary Sports Association (CGSSSA)

Teams representing NSWCCC will compete against Independent and Government Schools sectors at the NSW All Schools selections. To facilitate the efficient organisation of such trials and to enable the best teams to be selected to represent the Wollongong Diocese, it is vital that the school sports coordinator promote events adequately and ensure that nominations are sent to the relevant convener by the proposed date.

Students selected to represent the Wollongong Diocese at the CCC sports fixtures are generally required to travel to venues using their own private transport. Where a team travels by coach all team members are required to travel with the team. Team members are required to pay a levy to cover the cost of team travel, uniform and carnival administration. All students/parents/carers will provide consent during the online registration. Principals will also provide school consent online. 

All students need to be given a fair and equitable trial with equal time to display their talents. Selected teams will generally be announced on the day with the distribution of an information letter. A convener / manager may decide to announce the team at a later stage if deemed necessary.

Students representing the Wollongong Diocese are expected to behave appropriately at all times.  Any breeches of an acceptable code of conduct are treated seriously and may result in the child's exclusion from any further team selections.

CARNIVAL ORGANISATION / ALLOCATION OF RELEASE DAYS

The following arrangements need consideration:

The suggested number of officials (parents / teachers / students) required to facilitate the running of carnivals are as follows:

  • Swimming - 28
  • Cross Country - 20
  • Athletics - 40
  • Championship Days - 1-2

Parent volunteers and teachers released from schools are essential for the smooth running and success of the carnivals. Assistance is also sought from Local Swimming Clubs, Amateur Athletics Association, Sport Specific Development Officers and University Students in supplying officials.

Casual relief for teachers to be conveners and team managers is distributed as follows:

SWIMMING

  • 2 days for diocesan carnival - 2 days
  • 1 day each for team manager/official for diocesan teams at CCC level - 4 days

ATHLETICS

  • 3 days for diocesan carnival - 3 days
  • 1 day each for team manager/official for diocesan teams at CCC level  - 5 days

CROSS COUNTRY

  • 3 days for diocesan carnival - 3 days
  • 1 day each for team manager/official for diocesan teams at CCC level  - 4 days

RUGBY LEAGUE

  • Coach and trainer/manager for each team (15's and opens) - 4 days (if in Wagga = 8 days)
  • Tour manager, injury management  - (if in Wagga = 2 days)

FOOTBALL

  • Coach and manager for each team (opens boys and girls) - 4 days (if in Sydney overnight = 8 days)

TOUCH

  • Coach/manager for each team (15's and opens boys and girls) - 4 days (if in overnight = 8 days)
  • Tour manager, injury management -  1 day (if in overnight = 2 days)

CHAMPIONSHIP / GALA DAYS

  • 1 day for each carnival
  • 2 days where diocesan teams are selected

At times, the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges event organisers require the Diocese to provide teacher officials.  Under these circumstances, extra teacher relief provisions may be allocated.

School teams attending carnivals need to be accompanied by a supervising teacher or approved adult official. Schools are asked to send a teacher / parent to act as an official to facilitate the running of the major carnivals in swimming, cross country and athletics.  Individual schools must make their own arrangements for teacher release. Release is only paid for teachers who are conveners of diocesan events, selection coordinators, managers of diocesan teams and officials at NSWCCC events.

DIOCESAN SPORT SUPERVISORS - ALLOCATION OF RELEASE DAYS 

The number of days necessary for each diocesan team manager may vary according to the location of the event as overnight travel may be necessary. For example, If the Combined Catholic College Championships

  • are being hosted by Dioceses where a greater distance is involved such as Wagga, Lismore or Bathurst, paid relief will include a full day travel prior to the carnival and the carnival day itself.
  • are being hosted by Canberra/Goulburn, paid relief will include 1/2 day travel prior to the carnival and the carnival day itself
  • are being hosted in Sydney / Parramatta, paid relief will include 1 days release for the carnival day only

At major diocesan sporting events a teacher will be employed as a sport supervisor to monitor and supervise both student and adult behaviour outside competition areas. The sport supervisor will also be responsible for venue risk assessment and work closely with the carnival convener and executive officer of the Diocesan Sports Council.

CONVENERS, TEAM MANAGERS, OFFICIALS (DIOCESAN & COMBINED CATHOLIC COLLEGES)

Teachers holding appropriate experience and qualifications are encouraged to apply to be trial convenors, managers, coaches or selectors of the above-listed representative teams. Development officers from community clubs may be involved in team selection.

To nominate for a team managers position, official or selector teachers will be required to create an account an complete the application online through the https://csnsw.sport/

Diocesan convener, manager, official and selector positions for each year will be advertised at sports meetings to all sports coordinators who will then contact relevant staff members. Combined Catholic College positions are advertised on the https://csnsw.sport/

All applications need to be supported by respective school Principals.

SPORT COSTS

Schools will be levied to participate in Diocesan facilitated events. These levies go to payment for venue hire, equipment hire, ribbons, trophies, first aid, external officials, convener relief and administration. These costs contribute to venue hire, equipment hire, ribbons, trophies, first aid, officials, convener relief and administration. Schools will be invoiced for activities they participate in at the end of each school term. Schools and team managers will not be required to bring money to carnivals. All school levies paid to the Catholic Education Office are GST free as indicated on the invoice sent to schools.

There is a levy of $14.00 per student for Wollongong Diocesan events in swimming, cross country and athletics carnivals.

Team Sports incur the following entry costs:

CHAMPIONSHIP DAYS

COST

AFL, Touch, Netball, Cricket $70
Basketball & Football Knockout $100
Basketball, Football (soccer), Hockey, Volleyball, Tennis $100
Basketball Referee Payments $15- $20 per game
Rugby League (18 year girls Southern Country) $20
Rugby League Trials (16's girls, 15's & Open Boys) $20 (TBC)



 

 

 



DIOCESAN TEAM MANAGERS - REIMBURSEMENT FOR PRIVATE VEHICLE USE AND OTHER EXPENSES

  • Where managers travel, reimbursement for the use of private vehicles and related meal expenses will be covered. Overnight accommodation will be covered for team managers who travel outside the Sydney metropolitan areas such as Coffs Harbour, Nelson Bay, Wagga, or Canberra/Goulburn hosted events. Any variations to the above guidelines will need to be discussed with the executive officer. 

  • Team managers will be required to complete the private vehicle travel claim form available through the CEDoW Staff Gateway. The completed document should be provided to the school principal prior to submission to the CEO.

  • Release will also be paid to teachers facilitating Diocesan selection trials. The length of trials will vary from sport to sport, some trials may need to run over a full day, others may only need a half day. Requirements will vary depending on the number of nominated students. There is no allocation for diocesan team managers, above that stated in the Carnival Organisation / Allocation of Release Days, to attend diocesan carnivals. Carnival/Trial convenors have the first option to manage selected diocesan teams.

  • The majority of NSWCCC events occur in or around Sydney in 2024. The exception to this is touch which is to be held in Central Coast and Southern Country Rugby League which is to be held in Wagga. Team managers will need to contact the executive officer if accommodation is required in Sydney the evening prior to the event. Football (soccer) at NSWCCC level will involve a two day carnival in 2024 and will therefore will involve accommodation for team management and players. Carnival conveners have the first option to manage selected diocesan teams, other team manager positions are by application.

  • No paid release is provided for teachers who manage their own school teams at Diocesan events.

  • To nominate for a team manager, official, or coach position for Diocesan teams/events, teachers will be required to apply online through the https://csnsw.sport/. This online process will also incorporate Principal consent. All positions where teachers are carrying out a role for the Diocese will be funded.

Sport Payment Claims/Invoices to the Catholic Education Office

Conveners hosting carnivals will be required to send any invoices directly to the CEO for payment. Schools must not pay suppliers direct unless discussed with the executive officer. These invoices must be tax invoices and clearly list:

  • The company's Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • The GST component of the total bill.

First aid providers (including St. John Ambulance) will be paid on receipt of an invoice. Payment of accredited officials (eg. NSW Athletics, NSW Swimming, approved UOW students etc) will occur only when each individual official has completed a Statement of Supplier form (These forms should be given to the Executive Officer after the carnival).

Outside providers of sporting services will be required to send an invoice for payment.

TEACHER RELEASE CLAIMS TO CEO AND NSW COMBINED CATHOLIC COLLEGES

Claim forms for payment of teacher release at diocesan level must be sent into the finance section at CEDoW. Claims should only be made where teachers are conveners of a sporting carnival/trial or are acting as a team manager of a diocesan team or as an official at a CCC event. Selection coordinators in the specific events of touch, rugby league and football will also be covered.

Claims for release at CCC level must also be sent into the finance section at CEDoW. Once again only conveners and team managers of CCC events or teams should claim for release. Schools are requested to have teacher claims for the sporting event processed within the next pay period as claims to NSW Catholic sporting bodies must be reconciled prior to the end of each term.

CHILD PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS / CONSIDERATIONS

The Diocesan Sports Council in organising events will on occasions use volunteers to assist as officials at carnivals or sporting trials. Schools are also required to supply officials at Diocesan events. These officials may be parents or come from sporting associations such as NSW Swimming, NSW Athletics or sporting organisations such as the AFL, Soccer, Rugby League or Basketball. The use of university students to assist at carnivals is also applicable in this instance. In all cases volunteers must have a working with children check.

Sporting activities are enhanced by the valuable role of parents who volunteer to help in various ways. Parents and schools have high expectations of how children will be dealt with and have certain rules that must apply. Schools are encouraged to talk with parents involved as volunteers in all diocesan events and highlight the following points:

When assisting with the school students

  • always act in the best interest of children
  • take all reasonable steps to protect children

If a student misbehaves:

  • refer the problem to the teacher or a school staff member who will take appropriate action
  • always speak calmly to the student
  • Never take matters into your own hands and physically discipline a student 


Volunteers should be suitable for child-related work (it is not appropriate for a person who has been barred from working with children to volunteer).  Volunteers should treat children with respect, maintain personal boundaries and cooperate, at all times, with supervising teacher staff.

FIRST AID, INJURY CLAIMS AND AMBULANCE COVER

  • All Diocesan sporting events will have first aid coverage from external and qualified providers. Schools are encouraged to bring their own basic first aid kits to carnivals to treat minor injuries for their own students. Injuries of a more serious nature should be referred to the first aid attendant who will be identified at the start of the day to all team managers.
  • At times, where the injury is of a more serious nature the first aid attendant will complete an accident report form and may suggest follow up consultation with a doctor or physiotherapist. A copy of this injury form will be made available to the school and executive officer.
  • If needed an ambulance may need to called to transport an injured student to hospital. School team managers/coaches should be made aware of these arrangements and make contact with the school and parent/guardian to advise of this situation.
  • Concussion. The management of sport related concussion in children (aged 5 to 12 years) and adolescents (aged 13 to 18 years) requires special paradigms suitable for the developing child. Children have physical and developmental differences - less developed neck muscles; increased head to neck ratio; and brain cells and pathways that are still developing. Children and adolescents may have greater susceptibility to concussion, they may also take longer to recover and they may be at risk of severe consequences such as second impact syndrome. Managing concussion in children and adolescents therefore requires different standards and a more conservative approach. Children typically take longer to recover from concussion than adults (up to four weeks).
  • Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY, and should not be returned to activity until they are assessed medically. Athletes with a suspected concussion should not be left alone and should not drive a motor vehicle. It is recommended that, in all cases of suspected concussion, the player is referred to a medical professional for diagnosis and guidance as well as return to play decisions, even if the symptoms resolve.
  • The Wollongong Diocese has liability insurance for student accidents through the Catholic Church Insurance (CCI) and can provide some cover for the cost of any hospital treatment or other benefit if cost arises from an injury while engaging in a sporting activity as part of a school team. Please note that CCI is not a registered health fund and cannot pay all medical expenses.
  • Parents can also make contact with their school office if they have questions around this claim process.
  • The following links will provide you with some information around the School Care policy and the process for making a claim

School Care Insurance Information Sheet

CCI student claim form. *Please note that all claims can be made online through the CCI website

 

Contact for DIOCESAN SPORTS COUNCIL

KATHRYN PREECE

EDUCATION OFFICER
School Improvement Services Specialist Support

Ph:  42509316
Email:  PreeceK01@dow.catholic.edu.au

 

GRACE DALLI

ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
School Improvement Services Specialist Support

Ph:  42509304
Email:  DalliG01@dow.catholic.edu.au