THE competition was close, but it was the spirit that impressed Bathurst High principal Ken Barwick as the annual Astley Cup inter-school competition kicked off in Bathurst on Thursday.
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Mr Barwick, a former Bathurst High student who returned to his alma mater to take over as principal this year, said there was a “real rivalry and intensity in the air” as Bathurst took on defending champions Orange High in the first tie of the historic competition for 2017.
“But the sportsmanship shown has been outstanding,” he said.
Bathurst and Orange battled it out in boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer, athletics and tennis during the day, the home side finishing with a 230-163 lead ahead of the deciding day on Friday.
“Everyone is getting along and is in it for the right reasons and trying really hard for their school and community,” Mr Barwick said. “I have been really impressed by the quality of play.”
He said the Astley Cup gave young sportsmen and women the chance to show their skills “in front of the whole school”.