Footy to be played in blazers?

[Sanecow]

headmasters from eight private schools would be happy to discuss any interest in Aussie Rules being played as a winter sport alongside rugby union and soccer.

Source

[swannieserin]

I would love to see that happen!

What about the girls? Lots of females in Auskick.

[Xie Shan]

That would be fantastic if they played AFL in the GPS schools!

I was reading in the paper a couple of years ago that my old school was unable to field competitive rugby teams in the GPS, I hope they have better luck getting people to play AFL. Hell, if I was any good at sport back then I wouldn't have hesitated in choosing AFL over union

Just can't see the attraction of getting smashed in tackles week in week out playing rugby.

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by sydfan83
I was reading in the paper a couple of years ago that my old school was unable to field competitive rugby teams in the GPS

With a comment like that you could only have been a man of the chocolate and blue. What year did you finish?

[Xie Shan]

Yes, I'm a High old boy! Finished five years ago now.

From memory, I don't think we ever had a competitive rugby team while I was there anyway! Much more academic focus there these days from what I hear.

[Norris Lurker]

That would be sensational. The GPS schools have always had a strong sporting influence; and if we can get a share of that it will go a long way to developing a stronger football culture.
And the U18s grand final a few weeks ago, with St Ignatius taking out the flag and the unbelievable support they had - it would be sensational to see that being replicated by the other schools.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by sydfan83
Yes, I'm a High old boy!

A lot of those GPS types are

[msabenny]

Would love to see all GPS schools playing AFL especially after the success of the Swans winning the Premiership and also Riverview claiming the U18 title

[swansrock4eva]

I'd love to see all schools in general having a go - I was a couple of years ahead of the Auskick revolution which sucked, and Aussie Rules was just starting to get a leg up in the public school system when I finished up, but I think kids need a lot more variety in their sporting options - they're complaining kids don't get enough exercise, so why not promote it better and give them more options?

Although having said that, one of the big things is having the staff involved - if there aren't staff, there isn't a team, which was exactly the problem at my school - 14 boys went to a female PE teacher and asked her if she'd learn the rules because none of the male teachers wanted anything to do with "gay"FL, so she learnt the rules and started coaching them instead because they were so keen.

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by swansrock4eva
none of the male teachers wanted anything to do with "gay"FL, so she learnt the rules and started coaching them instead because they were so keen.

I bet that took the stigma away.

[Xie Shan]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
A lot of those GPS types are

Yeah, but I'm from the only one that's a state school.

[swansrock4eva]

Originally posted by Sanecow
I bet that took the stigma away.

It's about trying to encourage kids in NSW to get out there and play footy no matter where they go to school. THAT is where we will develop the game in NSW, and it doesn't matter whether it's male or female teachers promoting it, it just needs to be done. My point was simply that the male teachers wanted nothing to do with it,despite the interest, so a female had to do it - bad on the men, good on the woman and the kids involved.

[THERBS]

I can imagine Shore, Knox, Kings etc eventually realising how good this sport is once the parents start demanding it. In the public system its obviously different but the more times kids ask for a footy and start a bit of kick to kick in the playground the more the sport becomes part of everyday life.