AFL in GPS and CAS Schools

[Purser]

I'm surprised that Riverview don't have a team in years 7/8. Do they have teams in the GSJ comps? (Too lazy to look up)

In the past they've had 12s, 14s, 16s. I'm not sure about recently though, assume that's still the case.

[ShortHalfHead]

A story on the AFL GSJ Webpage provides more details

An Independent Schools Competition will commence in May 2013.

Six schools will field a minimum of ten teams in two age groups- Year 5/6 and Year 7/8.

The participating schools are as follows:

Year 5/6

Waverley College
Trinity Grammar
Knox Grammar
Cranbrook
St Ignatius College
St Pats Strathfield

Year 7/8

Waverley College
Trinity Grammar
Knox Grammar
Cranbrook

The establishment of this competition has been identified as a strategic imperative for development of football in NSW.

AFL NSW/ACT are extremely hopeful that this competition will continue to build on the strong foundations of the club network in the metropolitan area of Sydney, with both competitions aiming to grow in the coming years. All Independent Schools are welcome to join the competition. This competition will be played in line with the Winter school sports program in 2013.

It will be interesting to see how many a side players, these schools actually provide. However the rugby walls of Jericho are falling down!

I'm surprised that Riverview don't have a team in years 7/8. Do they have teams in the GSJ comps? (Too lazy to look up)

[2005magicmoment]

A story on the AFL GSJ Webpage provides more details

An Independent Schools Competition will commence in May 2013.

Six schools will field a minimum of ten teams in two age groups- Year 5/6 and Year 7/8.

The participating schools are as follows:

Year 5/6

Waverley College
Trinity Grammar
Knox Grammar
Cranbrook
St Ignatius College
St Pats Strathfield

Year 7/8

Waverley College
Trinity Grammar
Knox Grammar
Cranbrook

The establishment of this competition has been identified as a strategic imperative for development of football in NSW.

AFL NSW/ACT are extremely hopeful that this competition will continue to build on the strong foundations of the club network in the metropolitan area of Sydney, with both competitions aiming to grow in the coming years. All Independent Schools are welcome to join the competition. This competition will be played in line with the Winter school sports program in 2013.

It will be interesting to see how many a side players, these schools actually provide. However the rugby walls of Jericho are falling down!

[satchmopugdog]

As much as I have anti-private school feelings, I totally agree. This is a major break through. I can still remember a boyfriend of the past went to teach at Shore. He was an Australian hockey player but he had to coach a Rugby team!!!!! That was how ingrained it was..nothing but Rugby. LRT and Playfair ...come on down.

[Griffin]

It will be interesting to see how this goes. This is not the first attempt with these schools. Spring Challenge anyone?

St Aloysius will be a non starter judging by page 2 at http://www.staloysius.nsw.edu.au/new...12/2012_32.pdf

I have been trying to work out who will be playing footy next year:

CAS schools
St. Aloysius? College (not in 2013)
Barker College? - Prep school plays. Big enrolment Hornsby based
Cranbrook School? - Prep school plays. Roosy's boys went there
Knox Grammar? (already play in Sydney South comp)
Trinity Grammar? - big enrolment Inner West
Waverley College

GPS schools

The King's School - plenty of ovals - is there any interest?
Sydney Grammar School - very nerdy non sporting school
Newington College? - Prep school plays.
Saint Ignatius' College - only GPS footy school
St Joseph's College - rugby die hards
Sydney Boys High School - very unlikely - rugby program is on its last legs
Sydney Church of England Grammar School
The Scots College? - Prep school plays.
The Armidale School - Too far away

Let's hope hope this does not detract from club footy.

[Mug Punter]

Does anyone know what schools will be playing? Riverview? Knox?

I wonder where they are going to play on Saturdays. Where will the umpires come from? More double ups I guess.....

I never thought I would see the day.

I would imagine that all the GPS and CAS schools will be playing, assuming they get the numbers.

They'd play Saturdays just like all the other sports. Even in Melbourne and Perth rugby has been part of the Private school sports for decades. Great news to see the old rugby old tie farts finally broken down. Would love to have heard the reaction of the "brothers" at Joeys to their rugby sanctuary being broken down.

From all reports the AFL is backing this to the hilt funding the coaching and umpiring in full. Another win as it provides an additional income stream and development path for our umpires. At the moment is is just under 12s and under 14s but in four years time we will possible be seeing the GPS/CAS comp having as many U18 teams as the NSWAFL. Impressive and a damning indictment on the local game at the same time.

Plus the potential growth of Old Boys teams in the Subbies Rugby and VAFA mould, it's probably the biggest win for the game here since the arrival of the Swans. And on that note the Swans must be wetting themselves as the majority of these kids will be in their recdruitment zone.

Only time will tell but I see this a major gamechanger at a local level.

For once, well done NSWAFl, though I suspect it was HO that made this happen given their complete inability to get traction here in the past

[Griffin]

Does anyone know what schools will be playing? Riverview? Knox?

I wonder where they are going to play on Saturdays. Where will the umpires come from? More double ups I guess.....

I never thought I would see the day.

[Benchwarmer]

Yes i agree.
In time this will be seen a major milestone for the code in Sydney.
A huge win.

[Mug Punter]

This has largely passed under the radar but don't underestimate how much this means to the game in Sydney.

In the past many kids have been lost to the game at 12 but no more. Well done NSWAFL/AFL

AFL sinks boot into rugby's heart