By Caitlin Arnold
This Saturday at Sydney University Oval Number One, marks the annual ‘Old Boy’s Day’ for the club in gold and blue.
With a footprint firmly marked within the history of the local AFL scene, Sydney University take the opportunity of Old Boy’s Day to not only commemorate past players, but also former alumni, coaches, presidents, volunteers, sponsors and supporters.
Current Club President Chas Wilkinson is quick to acknowledge that it is not only the players who make for a successful club.
"While there is a male-centric message in ‘Old Boys’, it really is a time where we look to our whole past…it’s about anyone who has been involved in our football club."
The day will begin with a match between past players and then move into lunch and evening functions for the attendees, while the NEAFL side take on Queanbeyan and Premier Division plays Western Suburbs on the pitch. The unfurling of the 2013 Blue’s (Division Two) Premiership Flag will also take place on the day - much to the delight of the club and crowd. Wilkinson explains that providing a platform on which former and current players can mix, is viewed as an important step in building traditions at the club.
"Sometimes you need that past connection to maintain tradition."
With the future of the club on the minds of the committee as much as the past, Sydney University will be looking to field a Master’s side in 2015. Named the ‘Grey’s’ – a tongue-in-cheek reference to the University’s team colour naming system of Platinum’s, Red’s, Blue’s and Gold’s – the side will provide an opportunity to reengage with the club’s alumni.
In the lead up to this weekend’s event, the club has invited their players to participate in ‘Retro Training Week’ which is designed as a tip-of-the-hat to the player’s junior clubs.
"Retro Training Week is an opportunity for people at the club to recognise their Sydney based or inter-state junior club by wearing their junior jersey at training.
"We also invite past players down during the week…to watch the players train so they can see where the state-league side has taken the club in a training sense - in terms of professionalism."
With all but one of the men’s and women’s teams in the top half of their respective division ladders, the future at Sydney University looks bright. Their NEAFL side sits sixth and as Wilkinson explains, the depth now seen at the club has been well planned.
"It’s Fantastic. It’s the result of a lot of hard work in recruiting, not just in the off-season, but also over the last two years. It can really be attributed to the good work of Daniel Gilmore, and club executives who have also played a strong role in making sure that we could get each player in that playing group."
In a unique position to most of the teams in Sydney AFL, Sydney University have been able to work successfully from a model of offering university scholarships to their players, potentially providing enhanced career prospects post-football and ultimately attracting their targeted players.
"We give the opportunity to study but also to develop as a young person and to the highest level of football…it’s an important message for us.
"We’re really happy when you look at the results on field, but it’s about the complete environment for us.
Facing Queanbeyan on ‘Old Boy’s Day’, the Sydney University NEAFL side will have the upper hand after already defeating their opposition convincingly this season.
"Losing - given the track record we have against them not only this year but last year - would be very disappointing. Certainly in front of the Old Boys on Sydney Uni Oval Number One…we will be looking for victory on the day," proclaims Wilkinson.
It is important for Sydney University to assure their supporters that their executive committee has the success of the club firmly at the forefront of all decisions made.
"We have brought in some experienced topline players with state-league credentials and we also have a good crop of younger players - some of whom are playing state-league already. In our first game this year, no less than five of our players selected in the senior side were in fact a product of our Under 18s directly.
"Of course, we have Jack Hiscox playing with the Swans Reserves and a total of five players in the RAMS squad this year," Wilkinson proudly notes.
Sydney University play Western Suburbs at 2:45pm following the NEAFL match.
"The club welcomes all past players back to SUANFC and thanks you for your attendance and contribution to the club over the years."
Last Modified on 10/05/2014 18:20
