LIFTED Sports Day brought together more than 300 young people at Parramatta Marist sports fields on Sunday 19 April. Distinguished by teams yet gathered as one, players and cheer squads shared and celebrated the gift of life and the call to virtue through a round-robin competition of Oz tag, basketball, soccer and volleyball.
The day started with Mass on the school grounds, celebrated by Fr Andrew Rooney, Assistant Parish Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta. His homily grounded the day in our unified faith. Participating in Mass on the field where the games would later be played set a tone of dignity and mutual respect that carried throughout the day.
What began in 2009 as a deanery initiative by St Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith, has since grown into a diocesan-wide event. LIFTED Sports Day is now an opportunity for young people throughout the Diocese of Parramatta to participate in a day of sport, community and encounter.
Team O’Neill from the parish of St. John Vianney, Doonside cheering on at the 2026 LIFTED Sports Day hosted by Catholic Youth Parramatta. Image: Anna Amos/ three two one/ Diocese of Parramatta
This year 16 teams gathered from the parishes of Blacktown, Castle Hill, Doonside, Marayong, Mount Druitt, Quakers Hill, Rouse Hill, Stanhope, South Mount Druitt, St Mary’s, Toongabbie and Parramatta. Alongside parish groups were teams formed by the Nepean Deanery Young Adults, FaithFeed, CFC Youth for Christ and the Holy Spirit Seminarians.
Taking home the LIFTED Sports Day Cup, after impressively winning seven out of eight rounds, and drawing for one, was Team O’Neill from the parish of St. John Vianney, Doonside.
For Co-Captain of Team O’Neill, Bernadette Mercado, winning was a thrilling experience, but day meant even more.
“It was an incredible experience that I believe all young Catholics should have – blending competition with genuine fun and faith,” she said.
“Winning was great but playing alongside my family and proudly representing Saint John Vianney – our small, lesser‑known parish in Doonside – meant even more!”
Her fellow Co-Captain, Aidan Mercado, expressed his gratitude and joy describing the event as “a jam-packed and exhausting day filled with laughter and joy.”
Team O’Neill from the parish of St. John Vianney, Doonside. Image: Anna Amos/ three two one/ Diocese of Parramatta
He celebrated the team’s win with enthusiasm, whilst also noting how it was “very awe inspiring to see youth who were so on fire for God and supportive of each other!”
Beyond the scoreboard, the Holy Spirit Shield was awarded to Team Jesus Mary Joseph (JMJ), a combined team with parishioners from Holy Family Mt Druitt, Sacred Heart Mt Druitt South, St Aidan’s Rooty Hill, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Bonnyrigg and All Saints Liverpool.
JMJ won for the enthusiasm they brought throughout the whole day as well as joy and sportsmanship despite having their first win of the day in their final round. JMJ embodied Pope Leo XIV’s description of the relationship between victory and defeat and how sport teaches us to grow in truth and humility.
As he said in his Letter on the Value of Sport in February 2026, “Learning to accept defeat without despair and to welcome victory without arrogance enables athletes to face reality in a mature way.”
Team Jesus Mary Joseph (JMJ). Image: Anna Amos/ three two one/ Diocese of Parramatta
For many participants, the day is more about connection than it is about competition. Charlize from St Aidan’s Junior Youth Group shared that she “had so much fun to just step out of my comfort zone and the church to get active with other Catholics my age.”
“My favourite part about the sport day was soccer even though it wasn’t our best talent, because everyone had a go and pushed us out of what we normally do as Islander kids.”
She added that this day meant a lot to her as an opportunity to meet other young Catholics and feel part of a wider community because she “hasn’t had much mingling with people [her] age in the Catholic faith because [she] hasn’t been able to meet any.”
Likewise, Situ from OLMC Bonnyrigg Parish highlighted the communal aspect, describing LIFTED Sports day as “a great opportunity to interact and socialise with people of the community… participating in all the sports and cheering each other on throughout the day!”
Image: Anna Amos/ three two one/ Diocese of Parramatta
Others echoed this sense of belonging. Alana, part of the cheer squad for JMJ from OLMC Parish, Bonnyrigg, shared “I had so much fun meeting new faces on my team. We spent the entire day together bonding and uplifting one another. [From] start to end, it was full of friendly competition and pure joy!”
Similarly, Saifagaloa, a member of the Sacred Heart Samoan Youth described the atmosphere as “so positive and encouraging.” She shared it was something she would want to be part of again because “it was really fun being part of the activities and getting to connect with everyone.”
For Akenese, a member of Sacred Heart Samoan Youth, LIFTED Sports Day was “a day full of friendly competition and good vibes right from the beginning.” It was a chance to “reconnect with our brothers and sisters in Christ and see how much we’ve all grown within our faith despite not seeing or hearing from them over the years as well as meeting new youth groups and making new connections.”
Image: Anna Amos/ three two one/ Diocese of Parramatta
LIFTED Sports Day continues to be more than a sporting event. Whether playing on the field or cheering from the sidelines, when our young people are “recognised and accompanied” as Pope Leo states, they’re able to experience “a fullness of life that integrates our bodies, relationships and interior lives.”
Through participating in and witnessing to LIFTED Sports Day, the whole person is formed, demonstrating that “abundance does not come from victory at any cost, but from sharing, from respecting others and from the joy of walking together.”
LIFTED Sports Day reflects the Diocese’s Pastoral Plan priorities of Community and Formation for our young people. Visit Synodality to find out more.
View the photo gallery on Flickr or below.
