Ready For The World | Will Newnham (CGS 2024)

My two co-curricular activities at CGS have been cricket and soccer, which I have been a part of since Year 7. Throughout my time playing sports for the school, I’ve experienced a mixture of failures and successes, including the thrill of winning grand finals and the heartbreak of losing them by small margins. These varied results have not only helped me grow as a player, but also developed me into a more confident person both on and off the field. While sports can be challenging and frustrating at times, I have thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie that develops within a team at CGS. Amidst busy periods at school, I always look forward to training sessions, as spending time with the team relaxes me and helps me feel calmer and more prepared for the game.

I have been extremely fortunate to have had older students in both sports take me under their wing, significantly boosting my confidence. When I first joined the Opens Cricket and Soccer Programmes, I quickly noticed that older students consciously tried to help younger ones feel like they belonged on the team. This support was invaluable to my development in both sports, and it inspired me to do the same for younger students in a senior position.

In 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to New Zealand and England to play cricket. These were unforgettable experiences that I will cherish forever. From playing on the beautiful, lush green grounds in the UK to watching an Ashes test match at Lords (The Home of Cricket), the tour was a dream come true. Not only did this experience help my development as a cricketer, but it also allowed me to spend 15 days away with my mates, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Despite not performing as well as I had hoped, with some disappointing batting performances, I learned a lot about myself and what I need to improve on in the future. Beyond the cricket experience, we interacted with English students who brought different perspectives and traditions, which I found fascinating. Many of these students were passionate about soccer, a sport that isn’t as popular in Australia, and I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations about the game.

Going overseas also fuelled my interest in cybersecurity. Through discussions with various people, I learned that there are numerous job opportunities in cybersecurity outside of Australia. Having lived in three different countries, this greatly appeals to me, and I am now considering pursuing opportunities abroad in this field after finishing my Year 12 studies. I hope to go on an exchange to another country, combining my passion for sports and my burgeoning interest in cybersecurity to create a fulfilling and dynamic future.