First, I can assure you from the trainings I supervise and the games I watch, the boys are playing with as much conviction and pride as ever. Therefore I urge old boys not to doubt or question the effort of the boys currently representing Sydney High on the football fields week in, week out. Unless of course they willing to come down on a Saturday and make an objective decision for themselves.

On to the issue at hand. The fact is that, regardless of what has happened over the last few years, systems and processes having been put in place to improve the quality of the program. Expert coaches have been sourced, the equipment used is second to none, training is actually structured for the juniors (compared to the ad hoc nature of training during the 90’s), and overall the so-called ‘administration’ of the school have done a very good job in attempting to create an environment through which rugby can foster.

The problem, as some have alluded to above, is talent. I am not referring to your Craig Wings, Marc Sterchbinas, Lawson Donalds, Mark Sweeneys, Steve Irwins, or Grant Houldsworths. I am simply alluding to players with an adequate level of basic rugby ability. It is generally agreed upon that, for a rugby team to be competitive, it ideally would have as minimum: two - three extremely strong players, another eight - nine of decent ability, and a few more to fill in the numbers. The problem that I experienced both at High by both playing and coaching, is that there simply are not enough players coming into the school with rugby experience. Of my cohort in year 7 only myself, my brother and three other boys had ever player rugby before. It is almost impossible to compete when this is the case because, as most of you would know, the boys in the ‘A’ teams of other schools have been playing for 4-5 years already, and there is simply no chance that the training, regardless of how effective is, could ever be possible of improving players to a comparable level in the short period of high school. Luckily enough for myself and my team-mates, we managed to remain highly competitive at 1st grade level because we had the benefit of a few strong players, and a team that possessed a genuine desire to train and play beyond their ability (even though there were only roughly 25-30 boys in year 12 that played rugby).

I do not mean to grandstand and relive the glory days of years gone by (as many old boys still do, even in the comments above); I am merely trying to present the facts as objectively as possible. This brings us to the obvious question of what can we do to improve the situation? I would like to say first and foremost that Dr Jaggar is doing an admirable job in attempting to steer the schools rugby program out of this difficult period. Clearly he is in a somewhat unenviable position, but I can assure any of the doubters (that have had no experience with the school in the last decade or so) that he shares exactly the same interests that we all do and would love nothing more to see the school’s rugby program restored to its former glory (or least, respectability).

The obvious answer is ‘get better players into the school’, ideally in the formative years (pre-year 10). Clearly, this is easier said than done. The problem is that, as mentioned above, this has only been an option for the last two years. Previously, Old Boys who had sons that had missed out on selection into the school in year 7 had had to wait till year 11 to apply again. This has been rectified by the school’s new extended enrolment process for years 8-11, whereby students who have abilities in fields other than academia may now apply, there is also special consideration (I believe), for relatives of Old Boys. This action is timely and should ultimately be of great benefit to the schools rugby program but an immediate problem exists. The school’s reputation (and especially its rugby program) have been denigrated to such an extent by the media and other sources that there are not many quality rugby players that actually want to come to the school. I will pose a hypothetical situation for you: A player of some ability is playing for Waverley’s 13a’s, he lives in the school’s local area at Paddington. He has played representative club football before attending that school. What incentive does he have to come to Sydney High, when told of the new selection arrangement by a friend or family member? The image that he conjures in his mind is one of losing most games by large margins, playing with inexperienced team-mates, and potentially not even being able to play for the first XV. Let it be clear that I am not in anyway attacking this school’s system, rather representing a scenario that was described to me by a number of parents of GPS old boys I have discussed the current predicament with. The school is doing its part in its extensive marketing of the school’s qualities.

OLD BOYS: This is where you must assume some responsibility. Everyone is happy to give their two cents on how the school could improve its program, but no one is actually willing to help in some way. I chose, and I understand there are certain feasibility constraints that affect others’ ability to do so, to coach at the school. Whilst I agree this is not an option for most, there is something else Old Boys can do.

I know for a fact that there are a large number of old boys that shall be reading this and other correspondence relating to the rugby matter that will be having to make decisions, now or in the future, on where their children shall be attending high school (SHS Old Boys Circa 1980 if I’m not mistaken). It is your responsibility to actively promote the school’s virtues and, if you all really do believe in the aforementioned commentary, make the decision to enrol your son/s in this fine educational institution. Many Old Boys have previously complained that the option was not available to them (to send their boys to Sydney High if they did not gain entry through the selective schools test), but Dr Jaggar and the education department have now made it possible. In essence, if Old Boys are still truly passionate about the school and genuinely believe in its future, they will make the important decision to send their sons to Sydney High. I urge you to do so as I can assure you that all the barriers for future Sydney High rugby success have been removed, the program has been structured to cultivate rugby development, it simply needs that one last element vital to achieve its goals: talent.

To those old boys not yet at the stage of their lives where they are required to make a decision on where to send their children to school, you too can still play a role by actively promoting the school and being vocal about how proud you are to have attended Sydney High. I believe this is the only way to improve the schools image, one that has been somewhat tarnished in recent years. This is the only way forward for Sydney High rugby.

One more note, in regards to the nameless student that appeared to represent the interests of this years first XV. I know for a fact that one of the reasons why the team was removed from competition by Dr Jaggar was that only a handful of players were training at the ‘adequate level’. Nobody was training six days a week (the gym does not count). When I was at school, a core part of training was Sunday morning fitness with Les Robinson; this has been discontinued in recent years, because of players simply not being interested/bothered to do it. The current crop of senior players (excluding a hand-full that did do the required amount of training even when the majority had given up) must take some responsibility for their performance this season. The committed players know who they are; the others did not represent the efforts of the rest of the school’s rugby program, as discussed above.

Fellows who have been out of school for 10, 20 and 30 plus years yet still having such a concern for the school’s wellbeing is outstanding. That sort of feeling must be bred by their own wonderful and unique experience as a pupil of High and a desire for others (maybe their own sons) to be able to experience something similar. (It certainly is for me). I do wonder if some such similar spirit is felt amongst current pupils or those who have matriculated in recent years.

It is just this sort of sentiment that we should be trying to foster.

Many people fail to understand the real underlying themes in this discussion are much, much more than just about playing rugby - and this is why it is really affecting so many old boys. The current rugby crisis is seen as a reflection of a bigger picture in which genuine change to core values which impact upon the school’s identity are occurring. This is certainly at least the perception. Part of the experience at High has been being a part of a long, proud history and tradition, this is what is seen to be undermined here.

Take heart from all the genuine concern and goodwill on these pages - it does sound like some steps are being taken to address these problems. I, like many others I’m sure, have hope that the rugby program and the school can be resurrected to its former greatness.

But I do agree that the objective should be to promote a well-rounded and complete education, of which all those qualities others have spoken of are important. Perhaps we should focus on those sports that SHS is currently strong in, and encourage them further.

What I would like to see is some more input from any current students, teachers and parents who may be following this discussion. It is easy to form nice theories from afar (Chicago in my case..) but it would be nice to hear what is actually going on.

I’d like to thank the current student who contributed to this discussion and ask him to encourage his mates to express their opinions and fill us in on what life at High is like these days?

And just a note. Sport is compulsory, and High is a selective school and the school has little to no choice on whom comes to the school. The problem isn’t going to be fixed with a flick of a switch.

I’m tired of reading all the forums and comments made about High rugby. Yet I am yet to see a person put their hand up and help, there is so much wrong with the whole rugby program. And I think people need to look a bit further into the problem before they comment.

My feelings amongst many other old boys is that the selection criteria have changed so much over the past years that with the present situation High has basically lost what ever edge it had to be able to put together a strong 1st grade Rugby team.

The selection criteria for the school should be far broader than just academic if it wants to re-establish itself in the Rugby competitions.

The results of the last Olympics should show that results have nothing to do with the racial background of the participants. Furthermore, all of the other GPS schools are maintaining their participation with students of the same ‘cultural’ background as those at High. It has nothing to do with who is at the school in terms of culture/socio-economic background etc. Its about who is willing to participate in all that High has to offer, not just those who are coming there to join some sort of HSC factory.

All supporters of High Rugby must accept that the current culture / student in-take at SHS does not lend itself to a successful rugby program. Simple.

With regards to other schools such as Hurlestone Ag, TAS, St Patrick’s filling our void….c’mon…how embarrassing and to be honest do Joeys really care if High play or not..? If they are seriously investing time in this area then I would question their allocation of resources.

If we are to participate then it must be 100% otherwise let’s cut our losses and focus on sports that match the socio cultural demographic of the majority of students.