Competing against some of the most formidable female chess players in Victoria, our girls delivered outstanding performances throughout the tournament, which featured over 40 schools and a total of 103 participants. 

The team comprised nine dedicated members, including a player from the Mt Ridley campus, many of whom began their chess journey just this year. The team made their debut in a qualification tournament during Term 2, where they demonstrated their potential, securing the required scores to qualify for the state finals. 

During the tournament, each player participated in seven games, with many winning four out of seven. Notably, our top performers shone even brighter, achieving an impressive five wins. This tournament was particularly significant for Donnybrook, as it marked our first foray into state-level competition and the inaugural year of our chess program. 

Among the standout players was the team captain, Saheli, who earned a bronze medal by placing third in the Years 3 - 4 category. Additionally, Snaya made a striking debut, winning five out of seven games and finishing in the top 12 best players at the state level. Such accomplishments are truly commendable, especially considering most of the team members had only recently taken up the game. 

The growth and determination demonstrated by our players within such a short timeframe was impressive. Congratulations to all players for their exceptional accomplishments!