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SPORT
FOOTBALL IS THE WINNER To hear him talk, past long-serving Football coach, David Brown, speaks with fervour and dedication in regards to his sport. Whilst at St Peters, Football would come of age and be recognised as one of the most popular boys’ sports at the College under David. Here, he talks to Anthony Cox about his unwavering support for the current players and Old Scholars who still play. ANTHONY COX
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n Saturday 8 August, 2020 we saw the annual battle for the David Brown Cup played again, between the 1st XI Football team and the Old Scholars XI. The 2019 match finished 4-1 in favour of the Old Scholars and the 1st XI were looking for revenge.
In the first period, the 1st XI asserted their dominance and scored after a goal-mouth scramble and Old Scholars failed to clear the ball. After putting a fresh set of players on the field in the second period, the Old Scholars were far more dominant and started to create more opportunities, but the 1st XI defence was too strong. Going into the final period the 1st XI led 2-0 and finished the game stronger with Jackson T (Year 11) rounding out a convincing 3-0 with a goal with 10 minutes to go. Congratulations 1st XI. This year’s match was played under COVID-19 restrictions, but we were delighted that David could be with us and present the cup to the winning team on the day. It was the perfect timing to get an insight into the history of the Football Program and we sat down with David for a chat prior to the game. Anothny Cox: There would be many that know you well, David, but for the new students and parents that have joined the St Peters Community since you left, can you give me a little bit of a background on your time at St Peters? David Brown: I came to [St Peters] in 1984 in the role of Sports Coordinator which I fulfilled for four years. I continued for some years as a full-time HPE Teacher during which time I assumed the role of Boys Soccer Coordinator and Ist XI Coach. Somewhere about the late 90’s early 2000’s, girls Football was introduced but I did not take a major role in the girls’ game, but we [girls coordinator]
Plus Ultra | November 2020
worked closely together. I was also appointed Head of HPE Department and continued in this role for about 18 years until retirement in 2014. AC: Rugby seemed to be the favoured sport during your tenure. Because of this, did it make your job more difficult to recruit for Football? DB: I wouldn’t say we ever ‘recruited’ players. Those who were interested chose to take part and over the years those numbers grew with the growth of the College and the popularity of the game. My philosophy was to never turn away any boy who wanted to play Football. There was a team for everyone no matter their ability level. There may have been some coercion in the boarding house for boys to play Rugby but in the end the [Football] coaches coached the boys who presented themselves and over the years we had many outstanding players who were boarders. In the 80’s the Headmaster banned Year 8 boys from playing [Football] in the hope that they would play Rugby instead. This did not increase Rugby numbers and was abandoned the next year. AC: Fondest memories in your involvement with the Football Program? DB: Beating Ashgrove at any level. It didn’t happen very often, but we saw them as a major rival. There were many high points over the years but the most memorable would be the two times [St Peters] won the ISSA Cup. This was a knockout competition organised for all Independent Schools around Brisbane [at the time]. We won it in 1991 against Redeemer and most memorably in 2007 against John Paul College who had a high-profile Soccer Program and we were
