Grammar rugby – 150 years of history

It was not until well after Headmaster AB Weigall arrived at Sydney Grammar School in 1867 that boys were encouraged to organise the playing of sport, under the guidance of masters who were interested in seeing some development in this area.

Following the formation of the Southern Rugby Union in the late 1860s, Grammar joined initial members The King’s School and Newington College in playing for the Schools Cup. While Grammar won a few games against these schools, King’s and Newington dominated the competition. Unfortunately, several better players who attended Grammar chose to instead play with outside clubs like the University of Sydney. However, many Old Sydneians were still good enough to represent NSW, as instanced by the series against the British team in 1888, when half the team were boys who left the School.

Pictured: SGS Rugby XV 1878

Grammar’s first recorded organised game was in 1874 against Lyndhurst School from Glebe, close to the George Allen Estate* whose family featured prominently in sports and academics at school. The Athletic Association of the Greater Public Schools (AAGPS) was formed in 1892 and football (rugby) competition between these schools began the following year. Grammar’s first Premiership win came in 1897, followed by another win the year after.
_{*See this issue’s ‘From the Archives: History of Prizes’ article.}

Pictured: SGS Rugby First XV 1915 Premiership winning team

Although the 1930s were a quiet period for the First XV, there was success for lower teams, particularly the Third XV, coached by Bert Ritchie. It wasn’t until 1949 that Grammar shared the First XV Premiership again. There followed a decade of excellent individual players like Emanuel, Town, Caisley, Perrett and Newman who represented at international or state level.

Pictured: Newington vs Grammar 1922

The 1960s was highlighted by teams coached by Mathematics master Mr John Duffy, culminating with legendary Premierships in 1966 and 1967. From there, the changing demographic of pupils following the influence of the School’s entrance examination started to impact results. This, plus the establishment of sports scholarships offered by other GPS schools, meant our teams found it hard to compete at the top level, despite success by under-age teams.

The Grammar First XV battled on against bigger and overall more skilled teams. It was eventually decided to enter the top team in the Third XV rugby competition to ensure a more equal level of play. Victory came in 2020 to the delight of the boys involved.

The camaraderie of team sports has a lasting effect on school memories. Boys will often remember those with whom they played sport and rugby more than those with whom they shared a classroom.

Pictured: GPS All Schools First XV 1929 including Grammar pupils captain Rossell (seated centre), Austin (seated far left), Brown (standing third from left) and Stone (left seated on ground)

Pictured: Macqueen sets up