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

photographer, graphic and web designer On 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] 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

given no chance but managed an upset 1-0 win in front of a large crowd of [St Peters] supporters and the Headmaster at the time. Just being able to coach and encourage boys in the sport I was most passionate about was enough for me but the above was a bonus.

AC: Football over the last 10 or more years has certainly grown in popularity which, hopefully, is a sign that numbers have improved, would you agree? (*St Peters currently fields 20 teams in the AIC competition).

DB: When I first came to St Peters we had only three or four teams and Football wasn’t even an official sport. We have come a long way since then. Football became an accepted part of the sporting fabric of the College because of those who chose to play, the many parents who supported the boys and girls, the past students who returned to coach, teachers who gave their time as coaches and administrators. Long may it continue.

After a win-a-piece in the last 2 seasons, the stage is set for the 2021 David Brown Cup! A big thank-you goes out to David Brown for being a part of the day and for his contribution to the St Peters Football Program. So how did the Football season pan out? Anthony chats to Football Coordinator, Nathan Edwards.

The 1st XI went into the season opener with strong results in pre-season matches against St Patrick's (2-2), St Edmund's (6-0) and the Old Scholars match which provided ideal preparation for the competition rounds. St Peters would go undefeated this year and were due to play off in the final against….you guessed it, Marist College Ashgrove! Unfortunately, the season was called off in the last week and now the ‘Premiership’ debate is currently on the table with the heads of AIC Sport, and, at time of publishing, we don’t know what the outcome will be.

We thought it was fitting to hear from the current Football Coordinator, Mr Nathan Edwards, to reflect on his involvement.

"My time as Coordinator has been about continuing to build on the culture already established. Participation in boys Football is really strong and we have a number of Old Scholars who coach Football teams. Football is successful because the culture is built on ‘enjoying Football with your mates.’ With this in mind, I’ve also built in a few elements to add meaning to our Senior teams.

"In 2019, we took Footballers on tour to the UK and Spain; in January 2020 we took the 1st XI training squad to the Sunshine Coast for a High-Performance Camp; and, we’ve added 1st XI jersey presentations and the Old Scholars match to our connections with the St Peters community.

"As a Coordinator, I want players to value friendship and connection with the past, present and future. This will help Football continue to evolve. "A big thank you to the entire St Peters Football community for a successful event this year. The game was livestreamed with players, coaches and parents watching from around the world...as far as Spain. It was great to have Old Scholars from as far back as 2012 playing and continuing to be part of the Football fabric at St Peters."

FOUNDATION

2020 has been a difficult year in so many ways. At St Peters we are exceedingly grateful to so many in our community of Old Scholars, current parents and past parents who have donated to the College this year. Your gift will have an impact on the lives of student at St Peters now and for generations to come.

ROSS THOMSON

director of community engagement Kathy Calvin, CEO of the UN Foundation, said, “Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference.” Rest assured that your donation will make a difference. Thank you to all those who have donated in 2020. Your generosity is valued and appreciated.

Mr DM & Mrs LS Aldridge Dr PW & Mrs MA Allen Prof CJ Andrews Mr H Baek & Mrs Y Lee Mrs CC Bartlett Mr N & Dr AA Bean Mr MP & Mrs EC Bell Mr SH Chia & Ms K Chu Mr NJ & Mrs C Clark Mr PM Clem & Mrs E Pocknee-Clem Mr JHD & Mrs JG Danslow Mr RJ Dumke Mrs KM Edwards Prof R & Mrs H Fell Rev MC & Mrs D Fielke Mrs L Fulton Mr R & Mrs L Gavin Ms SL Ghidella Mr GG & Mrs JL Hamilton Dr MAE Hammer Mr WM Heck OAM & Ms P Heck Mr SF Herd & Dr NL Herd Ms BJ Hogarth Mr GF & Mrs NE Horrolt Mr H Hsu & Ms E Yap Mrs JM Hurwood Dr VP Liew Mrs EM Lohe Mr MG & Mrs F Kanowski Mr D Ji & Mrs J Wang Mr SH & Mrs HJ Kim Mrs Q Kong Mr P Kornlucke Mrs AM Kotzur Ms KJ Lee Mr DR & Mrs RJ Lester Dr VP Liew Mrs D Lingenfelder Prof JB Mattingley Mr I & Mrs M Missingham Mr CC & Mrs KA Moyes Mr K Nguyen & Mrs N Tran Mr S & Mrs J Nugent Mr PK Pukallus Mr TC & Mrs KC Reid Dr MP & Mrs JR Renner Mr J Reuter Dr GF & Mrs LH Richards Foundation Dr IA & Mrs DB Rose Mr BA & Mrs JA Slatttery Mr P Von-Selkey Mr GR & Mrs DJ Singer Ms LK Tracey Mrs MMK Tuilaepa Mr JH & Mrs N Viljoen Mrs J Wilson Mrs Y Xue Ms M Zhao Mr WX & Mrs RR Zhu Mr JH & Mrs LG Zillman

Thank you also to the 34 donors who elected to remain anonymous. All care was taken in compiling this list, however, if an error has been made please contact Ross Thomson, Director of Community Engagement, at r.thomson@stpeters.qld.edu.au.