Westminster encourages all students to engage in the wide range of opportunities within the School Co-curricular program. These experiences support personal growth and provide a strong foundation for development.
Sport plays an important role in the Co-curricular program, building teamwork, understanding commitment to a team and strengthening connection to the School community. Skill development and extension opportunities are part of this journey, alongside an appreciation of the values and physical demands of sport at each stage.
For students who choose to participate in sport, the following guidelines for both the Preparatory and Senior Schools outline expectations around commitment, participation and decision making.
Competition Pathways
- In the Senior School, Westminster competes in Independent Schools competitions, SAAS for boys and IGSSA for girls.
- In the Preparatory School, teams participate in either SAPSASA or Primary and Independent School competitions.
- Specific team placement depends on the standard and development of each team and program.
Selection Principles
The focus of School fixtures in both the Preparatory and Senior Schools is participation and opportunity for all students. This includes shared game time, rotating players and experiencing a range of positions.
Where possible, students are selected in the team aligned with their current year level where a year level team exists. An important aspect of School sport is the opportunity for students to play alongside friends and classmates while developing as a team.
Where there are not enough students to form a single year level team, or where there are too many students for one team but not enough for two, a composite team may be formed. For example, a combined Years 8 and 9 team.
Weekly team selection and playing positions are determined with participation and opportunity as the guiding principles.
The participation focus does not apply to Senior School First or Open teams, Intercol fixtures, Finals or Knockout competitions.
In these cases, teams are selected based on skill, commitment and the combination best suited to the demands of the match, with selection prioritising performance outcomes.
Extension Opportunities
There may be extension opportunities across a range of sports for students in both the Preparatory School (Years 2 to 6) and Senior School (Years 7 to 9). These optional sessions are designed to support development, with students grouped by skill level rather than age.
Across the Co-curricular Sport program, Preparatory School students do not train with Senior School groups. The exception is in Term 4, where selected Year 6 students may train with Year 7 as part of a pre-season and familiarisation experience leading into Senior School.
Year Level Placement
Students in both the Preparatory and Senior Schools generally train and compete within their year level.
Opportunities for students in Year 7 to 10 to play up are limited to Senior School First or Open teams, with selection based on performance and team needs. In some sports this is less likely due to physical demands, while in others such as tennis it may be more achievable.
Students in Years 7 to 10 who are invited to train with a First or Open team but are not selected to play will return to their year level team for matches. These students are eligible for First or Open teams only, not reserve squads.
Where multiple teams exist within a year level, selection is based on skill, attitude, commitment and contribution to the team environment.
Students are expected to train and compete with their selected team. Team placement or training sessions will not be adjusted to accommodate commitments outside School sport including club training or fixtures.
School and Club Sport Commitments
Westminster supports students in balancing School and club sport commitments. When clashes occur, students are expected to represent the School, with club commitments arranged around School programs.
This expectation is applied consistently to ensure fairness across all students and families.
High Performance and First Grade Athletes
Exceptions to representing Westminster may apply for students competing in State or Senior level competitions or involved in recognised high performance programs such as State or Premier League competitions, SANFL League, Premier League Netball, Premier A Grade District Cricket, SASI or State and National squad programs.
These exemptions apply only during required commitments. At all other times, students are expected to train and play for Westminster when fixtures are scheduled.
Training and Match Expectations
Commitment to a School team includes both training and competition.
- Students who train are expected to play
- Students who play are expected to train
Regular attendance at training is important for team preparation, cohesion and fairness in team selection.
Year 12 Participation in Term 4 Sport
For many students, Year 12 is a highlight of their sporting experience at Westminster, particularly the opportunity to compete in Intercol.
As formal lessons conclude in Week 2 of Term 4, there is no expectation for Year 12 students to continue summer sport. However, those who choose to remain involved are encouraged to do so, with a commitment to both training and matches across the term.
Sport Nominations and Team Formation
Sport nominations for Summer (Terms 1 and 4) and Winter (Terms 2 and 3) seasons are completed online via Clipboard in Term 4 of the preceding year by the advertised deadlines.
A nomination is considered a commitment to the program across the school year.
Representative Pathways and Tours
Students will only be endorsed for School tours, State Knockout, School Sport competitions or SAPSASA and SSSSA representative teams if they are representing Westminster at the expected level throughout the season.
Students who do not regularly attend training and matches will not be considered for Intercol or Finals.