Scotch College

Scotch footy booms as game turns 150

The 1858 Football Club is playing its part in fostering the development of Australian Rules at Scotch, where 400 boys are playing the sport this season.

Words: Jon Long

The 2008 season marks the 150th year of football at Scotch, commemorating the first recorded game of Australian Rules football played in 1858 between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar School, in the parklands where the MCG now stands. Much has already been said about this auspicious year of football; however, a year like this is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

At the time of writing, the season had only just begun, so best wishes to all boys for an enjoyable and successful year of footy. The excellent support the teaching staff provides to the boys cannot be overstated, and the same goes for the grounds staff who present the ovals in a truly magnificent condition.

There are nearly 400 boys playing football this year – a record for Scotch – and numbers are up in Year 7, which augurs well for the years ahead. Scotch College will continue to be a yardstick in the APS football competition. Currently seven Old Boys are on AFL lists: Ed Barlow and Nick Smith at Sydney, Campbell Brown and Junior Rioli at Hawthorn, Nathan Djerrkura at Geelong, Nick Gill at Adelaide and Lachie Hill at Carlton.

Putting the teams on the field requires considerable planning, scheduling and commitment by all staff involved with football at Scotch. On behalf of every boy wearing the cardinal, gold and blue - thank you.

A football highlight every year is the 1858 Club’s breakfast, to be held again this year in the members’ dining room at the MCG on Friday 20 June. Graham ‘Smoky’ Dawson will once more be the MC, accompanied by a panel of football identities including Caroline Wilson, Neil Balme, Matthew Knights and Brendon Gale. It will be a not-to-be-missed occasion.

Invitations will be posted closer to the event, so make sure you plan your table arrangements and get your replies back as soon as you can. Put Friday 20 June in your calendar now.

Another date to note is the Annual Cordner–Eggleston Cup, to be played between Scotch and Melbourne Grammar on Friday 8 August at the MCG, as a curtain raiser to the Melbourne v Geelong game, part of the AFL’s Heritage Round. You can be assured that both schools will desperately want to hold the silverware this year!

The 1858 Club was formed to encourage and develop the game of Australian Rules football at Scotch. The club’s broad aims are to help improve the skills and develop the abilities of all players, and to foster the friendships formed through playing team sport.

The 1858 Club directly supports the school’s football program in many ways, and needs the help of the Scotch Australian Rules community to provide funding for its many projects. These include specialist football coaching for all teams, the Year 9 trip to Adelaide and the biannual trip to the Tiwi Islands, to name a few.

Generous sponsors contribute to the 1858 Club, and their help in particular makes these projects possible. In return they are worthy of our support in whatever way possible. The 1858 Club is always looking for parents to become involved with the activities and tasks that are part of the footy season, and would welcome your participation.

For more information on social events, how to become involved with the 1858 Club or to help with sponsorship, please contact the President, Mr Steve Bull, on 0418 149 050. Go Scotch!

Gold Sponsor	Kay & Burton, South Yarra
Silver Sponsors	Charter Keck Cramer
	Yallambee Stud
Bronze sponsors	Telstra Licensed Shop, South Yarra
	Heritage Golf & Country Club
	Flinders Hotel