THE reach of the Cobden Technical School-run interschool grasstrack competition continues to grow.
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Now in its fifth year, the secondary school-aged competition drew 105 competitors to a farm property at Panmure on Friday, including students from Portland, Lilydale and even Rainbow.
Cobden Technical School teacher Reinier Bouman, who organises the event with fellow staff member Debbie Windon, said it was pleasing to see word spreading about the interschool competition.
“As far as we know, it’s the only type of its interschool sport in Australia,” he said.
“We asked the Rainbow people how they’d come to hear about it, (and they said) the principal used to be at Derrinallum and just happened to mention it to a student.
“As a result of that, next year they’re keen to send down more (students).
“The same with Lilydale – it’s a high school of about 2000 kids, and they sent down a team of 14.
“Lilydale is considering starting maybe another region (of competition) up there.”
Cobden Technical School took out first place at the competition with nine trophies and medals, just edging out Lilydale, which finished with eight trophies and medals.
“We only just beat them,” Mr Bouman said.
“I’m absolutely stoked that Cobden was able to win it.
“It’s a real credit to the kids.”
Students from Brauer, Emmanuel, Portland Secondary, Camperdown, Terang and Ballarat’s Mount Clear colleges and Timboon P-12 School were also among those to compete on the track.
Mr Bouman said the interschool grasstrack competition gave students a different outlet than more traditional sports like football and netball to show their sporting skill.
“It’s the only chance they would get to show their talent,” he said.
“Invariably parents say they wish they had that when they went to school.”
When rain started to fall on the track, Mr Bouman said it did not dampen spirits, or deter riders, although it made conditions a little slippery for a while.
He said it was great to see the attitude of all competitors during the event, with sportsmanship at the forefront on the undulating grass track.
Mr Bouman also praised the skill level shown by the students.
“They’ve got quite a bit of belief, every rider has tenacity, all the kids showed sportsmanship,” he said.
“It was a happy crowd and everyone was just happy to be there, that certainly showed when we did the relay teams.”
Mr Bouman thanked Warrnambool Motorcycle Club, which helps stage the event.