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NE WS AND E VENT S NE WS AND E VENT S

The JCH spirit pays sporting dividends

Over the next two days, the JCH Mixed Squash team proved
their hours of training had paid off, reaching the final where
they were once again facing Ormond. With both teams finishing
with four wins each, the scoring came down to sets, where we
went down by just one – an outstanding effort.

JCH mixed squash team after the final
After an incredibly competitive year, JCH has once again proven This was a year of determination and courage, with many
to the residents of College Crescent its strength and dedication students participating in sports in which they had little or no SWOTVAC netball
in the intercollegiate sporting events. The recognition experience. Janet Clarke Hall prides itself on a spirit of inclusivity,
our College received across the year for our sporting encouraging a wide range of students to feel the confidence
accomplishments was truly special, thanks to the skill, attitudes to be part of a sporting team. This enabled the College to
and sportsmanship our students consistently displayed. be represented in every sport on the college calendar, a feat A so-fish-ticated shell-ebration at the Submerged
achieved for the first time thanks to our first ever AFLW team!
Countless hours of training across the year resulted in College Those not participating in a particular sport were equally Soiree!
points scored in Badminton, Hockey, Women’s Netball, crucial, with supporters faithfully turning up to cheer the teams
Women’s Soccer, Squash and both Men’s and Women’s on regardless of the early wakeups or the crazy Melbourne Every year, the JCH Ball proves to be the highlight of the
Volleyball. These successes against considerably larger colleges weather. A sporting event which perfectly captured the JCH College social calendar – a stunning night full of dancing,
resulted in an incredible fourth place in the Tickner Cup based spirit was the AFLW game against Queens. Despite our size, the laughing, and unforgettable memories. As the 2024 Ball
on our overall points for the 2024 intercollegiate sporting College managed to field a full women’s team, cheered on by Coordinator, I had the privilege of bringing this incredible
season, our highest placing in over a decade! Announced at an enthusiastic team of supporters. This was a special day which event to life, a task that was as fulfilling as it was challenging.
the Valedictory Dinner, this was a result which filled the College captured the core values of JCH, players going out and having a Planning the ball was no small feat. It all started months
with pride, as so many within the Dining Hall had contributed to go, with a large group of students and staff to back them up! in advance with venue hunting – scouting locations,
this overall achievement. envisioning themes, and crunching numbers with our
Outside of the intercollegiate competitions, social sport was amazing Treasurer, Josephine Ung to make sure our budget
widely popular within College life. A highlight of this was could stretch as far as possible. With the help of the Vice-
SWOTVAC sports, occurring at the end of the semesters. Netball President, Evie Archer and three dedicated representatives,
was a huge success, with Semester 1 introducing the inaugural we navigated the intricate web of logistics: finalising
Exer match, which saw current students battle it out with JCH contracts, coordinating catering, designing the perfect
alumni. While the Exers managed to claim the win this time, seating plan, and of course, negotiating (begging) for the
both teams had a blast and are looking forward to challenging best deals on catering, entertainment, and décor.
each other again in 2025. Semester 2 also saw JCH play a Ball committee (L-R): Georgina Samargis, Evie Archer, Hal Porter,
SWOTVAC Netball friendly match against St Hilda’s college – a The excitement truly began when we settled on our theme. Shandrey Pretorius, Emma Weiser
great opportunity for us to connect with more students from We decided on ‘Submerged Soirée,’ a sophisticated spin on
around the Crescent. ‘Under the Sea’ as we were hosting the ball at the Melbourne their faces lighting up as they took in the atmosphere (a
Aquarium! With the tone set we could finally start planning
Declan Baker the visuals – from fairy lights and strings of pearls to custom massive fishtank in the middle of the room) – it made every
Male Sports Representative 2025 cocktails and a live DJ, every detail was meticulously challenge worth it. The dance floor was packed, everyone
Men’s volleyball team ready for the final curated to transport our guests into a world of submerged chatting at their tables, and as the night went on, I felt an
overwhelming sense of pride.
Two standout events this year were the Volleyball and Squash celebration.
tournaments which took place as the final intercollegiate No grand event, however, comes without its hurdles. Being the Ball Coordinator was an intense but deeply
sporting events of the year. The Women’s Volleyball team A last-minute hiccup with the photographer? Sorted. rewarding experience. It taught me resilience, organisation,
managed to take the eventual tournament winners, Ormond, A minor panic over ticket sales? Managed. Losing sleep and the power of collaboration. Most importantly, it
to a fifth and final set before just falling short. However, an over seating arrangements? Don’t worry about it! The reminded me why JCH is such a special place – because of
incredible performance the following day earned them a solid key was adaptability and teamwork. Constant and open the incredible people who make every moment worthwhile.
third place overall, defeating Trinity College. In addition, the communication with venue and College staff, and with To future coordinators: embrace the chaos, trust your team,
Men’s Volleyball team managed to reach the final where they my incredible team ensured that every problem found a and remember – no matter the challenges, the night will be
played Ormond on a Friday night. Witnessing the number of solution before it could dampen the night’s magic. spectacular, and the memories will last a lifetime!
JCHers who turned up in support truly highlighted the spirit of
JCH, managing to outcheer a significantly larger college right And then, after months of preparation, the night arrived. Shandrey Pretorius
until the end. After a number of closely contested sets, JCH Seeing everyone step into the venue, dressed to the nines, JCH Ball Coordinator
finished a very impressive second. Our first ever College AFLW team
18 L u ce Number 23 2024 Janet Clar ke Hall 19