Making Sport Accessible, Engaging, and Enjoyable for all

This week, the CBC Fremantle community came together at the WA Athletics Stadium for our annual Inter House Athletics Carnival. Every student and staff member participated to make the day a huge success. The event celebrated the culmination of an incredibly busy term for the Physical and Outdoor Education staff, which has included before-school training, sporting clubs, inter-school competitions, and lightning carnivals. 

While the event had a packed and demanding schedule, it was undeniably worthwhile. The wholehearted joy and energy from the students reminded us why we do what we do. Seeing the boys throw themselves into competition, support their peers, and take pride in representing their House and school is the clearest sign that our sporting culture is thriving.

Please click here to view photos from the Carnival.

As an all-boys school located in the heart of Fremantle and close to the coast, CBC has long embraced a culture that values health, physical activity, and outdoor living - something deeply ingrained in our wider community and a source of pride for the College.

Recent national trends indicating a significant decline in teenage participation in sport between the ages of 13 and 16 is concerning.

This makes it more important than ever to offer a wide range of opportunities for students to stay active throughout their school years, with continued involvement in sport linked to improved behaviour, better focus and memory, and stronger academic performance. At CBC, we are committed to reversing the national decline by making sport accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for all students, ensuring they reap the many benefits of staying involved.

Where We're Heading in Sport at CBC

Through thorough consultation with key stakeholders, including students, staff, parents and the wider community, we have reviewed where sport stands at CBC and the values/goals we aim to achieve. Our sporting vision is now guided by a broader purpose—to engage, inspire, and develop students holistically through meaningful and inclusive opportunities. The following principles outline the direction we are heading as a school.

Creating Equal Pathways
Regardless of ability, we aim to provide inclusive environments and quality sporting experiences where all students can participate, grow, and challenge themselves. We want every boy to feel that there is a pathway for them in sport at CBC.

Building School and Team Spirit
Our teams are about more than just winning. They are an opportunity to foster connection, resilience, and school pride. We encourage our students to value the CBC College colours and to wear them with integrity, humility, and respect.

Inspiring a Love for Sport
We are shifting our focus from pure performance to promoting a lifelong connection with physical activity through activities like Run Club, unstructured lunch-time sport, and social competitions. We are creating opportunities for students to engage in sport because they enjoy it - not just because they are good at it.

Prioritising Wellbeing and Safety
The wellbeing of our students underpins all that we do. We strive to create a sporting environment where students feel safe and supported, and where sport becomes a vehicle not only for physical development, but also for personal growth and mental wellbeing.

Connecting with Community
Our students are often involved in multiple programs beyond school, and we recognise the importance of collaboration with local clubs, families, and sporting organisations. By working with the wider community, we help students balance their sporting aspirations with their academic and personal lives.

How we want to achieve this

These key principles will be the basis for our decision making around sport beginning with maximising participation in the junior years to supporting talent and leadership in the senior years. In Years 7-8, our focus is encouraging enjoyment through structured and unstructured play and exposing students to a wide variety of sports to allow all students to feel confident to participate, regardless of ability.

As students move through middle and senior school, our approach shifts to meet their changing needs. We support those who want to refine their skills, continue their sporting development, or compete at higher levels - while still creating space for those who simply want to stay active and engaged. By senior school, our emphasis includes supporting students in talent pathways, offering leadership opportunities, and reinforcing key values such as commitment and communication.

For some, sport is an important outlet - an opportunity to be active, connect with mates, and enjoy the benefits of physical wellbeing. Others will pursue elite-level opportunities beyond the College. We are proud of the dedication these students show in pursuing their sporting goals and we aim to create positive outcomes that prioritise the students' overall wellbeing and success - both in their sport and in the classroom.

Our true measure of success is how many boys we can get involved, on the field, on the court or in the pool, enjoying their sport and being part of a team. Inclusive and positive experiences build a lifelong connection to sport and belonging is the outcome we value most.

At CBC, we believe sport should build character, connection, and joy and our goal remains simple: to ensure that every boy finds his place in the CBC sporting journey.

Mr Sam Buhagiar
Head of Sport