MAIN IMAGE: (L-R) Bridget Jamieson, Molly Irwin, Tahnee Reily, Lachlan Anderson, Ryan Anderson, Luke Witt, Rowan Harrison and Charly Anderson. STANDING Judge Mathew Horswell with Hugh Philp and Wendy Wockner from the Australian Campdraft Association. PHOTO: Ropes N Spurs Photography
By JACINTA CUMMINS
FOR many country kids, campdrafting is a way of life but when they head off to school, their sport is not always promoted and nurtured by schools in the same way as sports like swimming, tennis and athletics are.
All this changed when St Margaret’s boarding student, Emily Curr, came up with the concept of the High School Campdraft Percentile Cup in 2017.
Just seven schools participated in the first year but 34 schools converged on Dalby to compete in the 2021 Ariat High School Campdraft Percentile Cup on October 8-10.
Senex Energy sponsored the inaugural Outstanding Conduct & Sportsmanship Award which was won by St John’s Catholic School, Roma.
The St John’s team members were: Jack Callow, Bridget Jamieson, Charly Anderson, Molly Irwin, Rowan Harrison, Luke Witt, Tahnee Reilly and cousins Lachlan and Ryan Anderson.
The team placed seventh overall and Rowan Harrison also placed Equal Second in the Overall Individual Finals with a score of 85.5 and an overall score of 252.5 for the weekend.
Teacher Phoebe Waugh said the team’s goal was to stick together through the whole draft and that included everyone watching each other’s rounds as much as possible.
“We wanted to bring our team together and show them that teamwork isn’t about always winning, it’s about saying ‘Good job’ when they’ve tried their hardest,” she said.
“The older members shared their knowledge with the younger students and all of them helped out as much as they could whether it was on the gate, scoring or out the back in the yards.”
Wendy Wockner is Chair of the Australian Campdraft Association sub-committee for the High School Campdraft Percentile Cup and was responsible for this Senex sponsored award being established.
Rather than focussing on just sporting ability, it recognises competitors’ contribution to the campdrafting community.
“For the ACA, a big part of running the Percentile Cup is about involving the younger people in its successful organising and to start a handover to the next generation, because many hands make light work,” Wendy said.
“It’s also about encouraging the sort of behaviour that we want to see from our young people not only at campdrafts, but in general.”
Judge Mathew Horswell had a tough time picking a winner.
“St John’s team was organised and on time, they were well presented and very well mannered and when a call went out to help empty rubbish bins, everyone from that team who wasn’t on a horse turned up,” he said.
“There were a couple of other schools which came close to winning, but it just seemed that nearly everywhere I looked there was a St John’s student helping out or cheering on their team mates all weekend.”
According to Senex Community Relations Manager Trevor Robertson, the Outstanding Conduct & Sportsmanship Award speaks to Senex Energy’s ethos.
“One of Senex’s values is winning together,” he said.
“It’s about team work, working closely with others to achieve a common goal, and getting people involved in their communities to ensure their community’s sustainability and vibrancy.
“Today’s young people are tomorrow’s leaders.
“I am really delighted that the first award winner is a Roma school as Senex has operated in this area for some years.”
