A drought-breaking Astley Cup win this year would not only be a proud achievement for students at Dubbo College but also for all those who have been involved with the time-honoured tri-school tournament over the years.
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Dubbo College begins it’s 2017 campaign on Thursday, when it travels to Orange High School for the first of two days of competition.
Orange is coming off a loss to Bathurst High School in last week’s opening tie of the year while for Dubbo, Thursday marks the start of a campaign which the squad hopes will end in the first Astley Cup win since 2011.
“Not just for the kids, it would be great for all the people who have been involved in Astley Cup,” Dubbo College sports coordinator Craig May said.
“Everyone loves to see it each year and its even better when Dubbo comes away with a Cup but really that’s only part of it.
“It’s not only about the end result, it’s about putting in a good performance and giving it a go, something we will do.”
The environment and atmosphere in the Astley Cup is a different beast.
- Dubbo College's Craig May
May stated home ground advantage counts for a huge amount in the competition but was also confident his school would be competitive in each and every sport.
Day one at Orange consists of tennis, both boys and girls soccer as well as athletics and the Mulvey Cup debate.
Dubbo’s soccer sides appear stronger than they have in years, the boys side was recently crowd Western Region champion, and both sides are confident of positive results against both Orange and Bathurst.
“The coach, Mark Skinner, has put in a lot of time and effort and the boys are motivated,” May said.
“It’s been a long process which started back in February and the boys have played a lot of CHS games and futsal as well.
“They’re going well but the environment and atmosphere in the Astley Cup is a different beast.”
Orange heads into the tie with plenty of motivation having fallen painfully close to winning last week before Bathurst claimed a 402-398 result and May stated there was some sports the hosts would start favourites in, having been a powerhouse in hockey especially in recent times.
Despite having so much to play for, May said he was again looking forward to students from all three schools getting out and showing their school pride.
“It’s fabulous and it’s something that’s been going for close to 100 years,” he said of the Cup.
“Lots of people have had the privilege to participate in that time and I hope a lot more get to in the next 100 years.”
FULL PROGRAM
THURSDAY: 9.15am tennis (Orange Indoor Tennis Centre); 11.30am boys’ soccer, 1pm girls’ soccer (both OHS); 2.15pm athletics; 5.30pm debating
FRIDAY: 9.30am hockey (Orange Hockey Complex); 11am rugby league (Wade Park); 1pm netball, 2.20pm basketball (both PCYC)
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
