02 September 2022
One of the most highly anticipated sporting tournaments in the school calendar kicked off this week after a 2-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senior high school students from across WA travelled to Perth to compete in the week-long competition after months of training and fundraising.
Katanning Senior High School Country Week volleyball captains
Country Week, which is still regarded as the biggest and most unique event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, has a long and successful history.
It instills a sense of school pride among students and gives them the opportunity to develop their sporting skills and meet new friends.
The event ran from 29 August to 3 September.
Competitions included basketball, dance, football, hockey, touch football, speech and debating, indoor cricket, volleyball, netball, and soccer.
Karratha Senior High School Year 12 student Jerome Ieremia, who competed in volleyball, basketball and AFL, said he was excited to attend Country Week.
'It was a relief that we were able to have it this year as we missed the last two due to COVID-19,' he said.
'I think the best part was the overall experience and being able to spend the week with friends competing alongside one another.'
Broome Senior High School student Sara Davies, who played netball, said her favourite part was seeing the sportsmanship from the players after the games.
Broome Senior High School Country Week netball team
'It’s great to see everyone so happy to be together,' she said.
'It is a privilege to get the opportunity to travel after towns have had to isolate. It’s great to mingle with other regional schools and meet students in the same position as us.'
Katanning Senior High School Year 12 student and team captain Alyssa Cronin said it was great to participate in the high energy event and represent the school in volleyball.
'Win or lose, the experience of being out on court is really rewarding,' she said.
'My favourite part is being out on court. We do plenty of other activities as a team, but the competitive sport is my favourite.'
Albany Senior High School Country Week AFL team
Fellow Katanning Senior High School Year 12 student and captain Joeseph Rose, who also competed in volleyball, said it was awesome to have access to first-class facilities like HBF stadium.
'Playing volleyball on world-class courts with your school mates cheering from the stands is a great experience,' he said.
District High Schools Country Week will be held from 19 September to 23 September.