The Essington School Darwin's sporting program develops skills acquired in the curriculum subject of Physical Education.  This is taught from Transition to Year 10 by specialist physical education teachers.

Our primary years program provides students with a quality, weekly physical education and sports skills program taught by specialist physical education teachers.

Our secondary students in our Middle School also participate in physical education programs taught by specialist physical education teachers.  They are also able to follow up their interest in sport with the choice of electives in sports skills, extension or sports administration.

The Essington School Darwin's sporting program develops skills acquired in Physical Education.  Primary students participate in sports such as swimming, athletics, cross country, tennis, ball skills, gymnastics and basketball.

Secondary students play soccer, tennis, hockey, swimming, softball, rugby and football.

We aim to provide as many opportunities as possible for students to participate in sport within the School, with other schools and within the local and national community.  We feel it is important for students to experience the benefits of being in a team as well as being a solo competitor.  Many of our students participate in community sporting clubs and represent the School, school zone, Darwin and the Northern Territory in various sporting activities each year.

Beyond the School's sporting facilities, students also have access to nearby community and commercial sporting facilities such as ovals tennis courts, a fitness centre and gymnasium and swimming pools.  These are used on a regular basis and accessed using the School's 22 seater busses.

Swimming Program:

In September, all students from Transition to Year 5 complete an Intensive Swimming Program on a daily basis over two weeks.  This is run in conjunction with the Royal Life Saving Association at a nearby community pool.  In this program, students learn confidence in the water and develop various skills associated with water safety and swimming.  We see water skills and confidence as important for our students who have easy access to home swimming pools and Northern Territory rivers, beaches and billabongs.

Middle School students also participate in a swimming program designed to further enhance their stroke technique, endurance, water safety and survival skills.

In 2004 the School commenced the first of its annual Strategic Plans for Sport.  This annual Sports Strategic Plan is designed to further enhance our sporting programs and provide increased opportunities for our students each year.  Target activities vary with student interest and opportunities available but include cross country, rugby, netball, tennis, hockey, athletics, swimming, Australian Rules, basketball, cricket and soccer.

The School seeks to affirm the efforts, sportsmanship and success of students through Award Certificates at our weekly assembly, with Semester and Annual Awards.

Kiera Halicek

Keira has been extremely busy with her tennis this year and has competed in several Tournaments. Keira competed in the Nationals in Brisbane earlier on this year and produced a semi finals result in the consulation draw. Continuing to work hard on all aspects of her game, Keira is about to travel to Melbourne for the Nationals. Keira is competing in a teams event that consists of the top three NT boys and girls players. This will then lead onto the Bruce Cup in Tasmania. This is an event that Keira hope to do very well in and is looking forward to the intense competition. Keira trains everyday at DTC and enjoys playing singles matches the most. Keira is aiming to get into the NTIS next year where she can really step up her training and continue to improve her own game. Keira is a tennis player to watch out for in the future.

Lachlan Bates

Continuing on the tennis theme, Lachlan has also had a very successful year travelling to many parts of Australia to compete. Lachlan started his year in Melbourne playing in a Clay Court competition where he reached the round of 64. Lachlan followed this up with two tournaments in Brisbane, The Rod Laver and Winter Nationals. Lachlan achieved his best result for the year at the Rod Laver Tournament reaching the round of 32. Lachlan has also competed in the Mildura Grass Court Championships where he reached the Quarter Finals and partnered with his brother Kaelan in the doubles. They had a fantastic competition and were Runners Up. Lachlan then travelled onto the Frankston Junior Masters and reached the round of 16 for his Singles and the Quarter Finals in Doubles. Lachlan is about to head to Melbourne for the Nationals and is hoping to win at least two of his single matches. Lachlan is keen to continue improving his techniques and wants to join the NTIS. Another rising star to keep your eye on.

Mitch Ward

Mitch has had to overcome some major hurdles this year and has continued to produce his best. Mitch began the year continuing to develop his Swimming and Athletics competing in Cairns in the Nationals. Mitch competed in the 800m, 1500m, 200m, Long Jump and High Jump where he jumped 1.36m to produce a personal best effort. In February Mitch was involved in a quad bike accident that left him with 4 broken vertebrae in his back. This horrific accident left Mitch in hospital for one month followed by another month of complete bed rest at home. The following month of rehabilitation involving walking, stretching and returning to swimming has now found Mitch back to his best. Mitch was selected for the City Cluster Athletics team and competed in the 800m, 400m, Long Jump, High Jump, 60m Hurdles, 200m, 1500m and discus. Mitch was so successful that he has been selected to compete in the Nationals in Tasmania in November. Mitch is continuing to train hard in his swimming and is looking forward to hopefully School and Zone selection. Mitch would like to aim to be in the NTIS in the future.

Maddison McCourt

Maddison is currently training and competing across four different sports which keeps her very busy. Firstly, Maddison’s most enjoyed sport is Gymnastics. Maddison has improved her flexibility and strength over the year and has reached Level 1. Maddison is hoping within the next two years to reach Level 7 and begin competing. Secondly, Maddison loves her hockey and was Runner Up with her team ST Marys this year. Maddison believes her defensive game is getting stronger and she enjoys playing left and right wing. Maddison follows up Hockey with Ballroom Dancing as her third pursuit. Maddison competed in Canberra earlier on this year and came 5^th in the Under 16s. Maddison is now with her 3^rd dancing partner this year as she has found a suitable partner for her age and height. Maddison is also involved in cheer leading which has assisted in building her strength and flexibility. Maddison would love to do stunts one day and enjoys meeting all the new people at these sports.

Ryan Turner

Ryan has had a very successful year in Squash and has been competing in many tournaments over the year. In July Ryan travelled to Canberra to compete in the Nationals and placed 15^th overall. Ryan then competed in the NT Open and came 1^st in the under 15s and 4^th in the Under 17s. Ryan followed this terrific performance with a 2^nd place at the SA Open. To continue improving on these fantastic results Ryan will be spending two weeks at the Victorian Institute of Squash in November where he will train for 5 hours per day over a two week period. Ryan will also be competing in the Australian Junior Championships where he hopes to place in the top 10 and hopefully secure himself a place in the Victorian Institute of Squash on a full time basis. Ryan and his squash partner Jesse Yep are regular players at the Darwin Squash Centre and are carving up the opposition. Ryan is certainly achieving his best through his chosen sport of squash.

Katena Valastro

Katena has been heavily involved in dancing for many years and is a regular performer in Eisteddfods and local performances. In the Darwin Eisteddfo, Katena won every event in her group and trio performances in Jazz, Tap, Troupes and Ballett. Katena also performed at the Perth Eisteddfod doing a solo performance in Jazz and Acrobatics. Another highlight for Katena this year was performing in the Opening Ceremony of the Arafura Games doing a Jazz/Hip Hop routine. Katena has also performed in BEAT, this showed cased many performances from a variety of schools and Administrators Pleasure. This is a show where Katena is one of the main hosts or ‘Arafura Girls.’ Katena is hoping to continue performing and introduce some acting into her performances. Keep a close eye on Katena as one of our Rising Stars who may be seen on an even bigger stage over the years to come.