In April, I had the pleasure of joining our community to watch the annual Cordner-Eggleston Cup; the historic football match between two archrivals, Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College.
This is one of my favourite events of the school year, as it captures the pride of our community and demonstrates an excellent level of football skills. The significance of this fixture serves as a reminder of the enduring role we play in Australian sporting history. Knowing that our schools competed in the first recorded match of Australian Rules football in 1858 is a great honour, and its legacy will continue to resonate.
This year’s match fell in the first round of the Winter APS season, which meant our side competed for the first time in their new football uniforms. As with the game itself, the uniform has evolved to reflect the calibre of our young athletes of today. In a special tribute to those who came before, the new First XVIII guernsey includes the names of every player who has worn the red socks on the football field. Seeing my own name amongst some of the greats was a special moment for me.
Prior to the match, attendees at the pre-game luncheon heard from former Western Bulldogs player, Luke Darcy. As Bulldogs fans will know, Luke played 226 games for the team from 1994 to 2007, serving as Captain, winning Best and Fairest, and being selected to play on the All-Australian side. Two of his sons now play for the Western Bulldogs, and Luke has remained active in the AFL as a commentator and serving as a coach at his children’s local football club.
In sharing his experiences with us, Luke spoke enthusiastically about his passion for the AFL, and the enduring connection between Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College. He also emphasised the importance of participation in the APS competition, which provides ongoing opportunities for young people to build connections, resilience and a sense of belonging, regardless of their chosen sport, age, or skill level.
Perhaps the most significant moment in Luke’s speech came when he shared a sobering statistic: In the United States, three-quarters of young men stop participating in any form of sport by 14 years of age. While the pull of social media and other forms of sedentary entertainment must surely contribute, pressure from parents and coaches is also a factor for these boys, who quickly lose their love of the game in the face of unrelenting expectations.
Our participation in APS competition means we must ensure students can compete at the Firsts level, and we celebrate the fact that many go on to succeed professionally, and in some cases, even internationally.
It is equally important, however, that Melbourne Grammar School students continue to find enjoyment on the sporting field whether they participate beyond APS level or not.
Providing students with opportunities to stay fit, have fun, learn to be part of a team and build strong connections with teammates is vital. Together with academia, the arts, service, and other pursuits, sport remains a vital part of the holistic education we value at Melbourne Grammar School.
As part of ensuring our continued excellence on the sporting field, accredited coaches oversee our programs, and a small number of General Excellence scholarships create access and opportunity for talented and dedicated young sports people with great character, who embrace our holistic education. From the start of 2027, our South Yarra campus will soon see a new High-Performance Centre, equipped with improved facilities that is a dedicated space for our students’ athletic development.
At Melbourne Grammar School, the pursuit of excellence is part of our tradition. We see it lived each day in the way our students embrace a holistic education; whether it be thriving in the classroom, or on the sporting field, and beyond.
Headmaster
Watch a video recap of this year’s Cordner-Eggleston Cup
