Football kicking goals in Private Schools
Football’s position as Australia’s Number One participation team sport has again been reaffirmed with 2013 figures confirming a massive increase in participation in the NSW’ Private Schools network.
Historically football is the largest of the organised schools sports across NSW both in regular weekly competition and as a valid pathway for the best players to excel. There are over 40,000 boys and girls in both primary and secondary schools playing outdoor football and futsal, across public, private, Catholic and independent schools involved in regular football competitions.
While traditionally rugby union (for boys) and hockey (for girls) dominated the private schools sector in NSW, in recent years the strength and numbers of football in private schools – both boys and girls – has grown significantly against the traditional sports in these areas.
Beyond growing playing numbers, opportunities to develop the State’s leading players have seen the likes of Matildas and Sydney FC star Ellyse Perry (Pymble Ladies College) and Football NSW Institute players Daniel Alessi (St Joseph’s College), Lachlan Rovers (Joeys), Alexander Brown (Knox Grammar) and Lachlan Hughes (St Aloysius). Players in the private schools are targeted by the Hyundai A-League clubs for positions within the NYL Youth structures.
The GPS (Greater Public Schools) competition, which includes schools St Joseph’s College (15 teams), Scots, Shore, St Ignatius Riverview (25 teams), Kings, Newington (49 teams), Sydney Grammar and Sydney Boys High (25 teams) play in one of the strongest interschool football competitions in Australia and have had a significant increase in football participants during recent years. These Schools are seeking out dedicated Football coaches and advisors for their football programs including former NSWIS Head coach and Sydney FC coach Ian Crook.
In the IGSSA (Independent Girls School Sport Association) have shown a 76% increase in the number of players over the last 10 years with currently 193 teams and 2,615 girls participating in weekend interschool football. There has been continued growth in football within IGSSA since football was introduced in 2004. IGSSA includes schools such as Queenwood, Kambala, Ravenswood and Abbotsleigh.
The CAS (Combined Association Schools) competition which includes schools Knox Grammar, Trinity Grammar, St Aloysius, Barker College, Waverley College and Cranbrook boast 161 Football teams to 135 rugby teams.
In the ISA (Independent Sports Association) Secondary School competition (which includes schools such as St Patricks Strathfield, St Pius Chatswood, Oakhill, SCEGGS Redlands and St Andrews Cathedral School), there are 92 boys teams with approximately 1,300 participants and 28 girls teams with approximately 400 participants take part in weekend football.
The Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA) competition has also seen an increase in numbers with approximately 2,500 Boys and 1,200 Girls taking part in football weekly.
Football NSW CEO Eddie Moore sees the rapid increase in Private Schools football as another positive in football’s continuing growth story.
“Across private schools, Football is no longer seen as a second option. The numbers and quality of players and coaches involved in Football reflects the position Football has across the community and the desire for boys and girls to compete at the highest level in the school environment.”
“Success at a National level with the Socceroos and Matildas and the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League presents these students with a valid pathway in a game they love.”
“It was no secret that this year Football NSW is making stronger connections to schools and has highlighted this as a priority moving forward.”
“Our NSW Public Schools and our Premier clubs have nurtured some of Australia’s greatest talent, now the private school system is joining in to produce our next generation of Socceroos and Matildas.”
Further proof of the growing interest is the investment by these schools in dedicated football grounds and facilities specifically for their football teams. Trinity College has a synthetic field and Shore School recently opened a dedicated football grandstand and change rooms.
Master in Charge of the successful Knox Grammar School Stephen Roche agreed that private schools football was definitely on the rise.
“I believe a lot of the headmasters now realise the game is going great in this country now, you’ve got the A-League up and running with a lot of interest surrounding our top tier competition and this has played an instrumental role in the awareness of the sport.
“The fact that a lot of schools have enhanced their facilities has also assisted in the growth and development of football at Schools.
“There is also some great talent coming through the private school system. At Knox, we have an elite program running all year round with boys playing football from Year 5 right through to Year 12. We assist with their skill development which adds value to what they currently receive at their respective football clubs.”
With the current Valentine Sports Park re-development scheduled to re-open in September 2014, Football NSW is looking at hosting a number of schools events and championships at its Glenwood headquarters.
