Published on: 18 July 2013



The 1973 First XI celebrated 40 years since winning the PSA title last weekend by reliving their school hockey days through the 2013 First XI side. The old boy team watched the First XI take on Aquinas at Mt Claremont playing fields on Saturday.

The Firsts went down to Aquinas 2-1 but it was a close game and none of the gloss was lost on the 1973 team. The old boys chatted to members of the First XI before and after the game, and joined the boys for morning tea – no doubt offering a few pearls of wisdom.

1973 First XI Captain Steve Potter and the team were delighted to pose for a photograph with 2013 co-captains Patrick Guggenheimer and Sam Blakiston before heading off for their reunion lunch.

Teacher in Charge of Hockey Drew McDonald said the tradition of old boys coaching hockey continued this year with a number former students coaching teams with some great results.

Mr McDonald said the Firsts, currently with one win, two losses and a draw, had been performing competitively against the competition’s top teams including a 1-0 victory against Hale in Round 1.

The Seconds got off to a great start with three wins and one loss and like the Firsts; the 10As also have one win, two losses and a draw.

Mr McDonald said numbers in hockey across lower school were high this year with Years 7 to 9 fielding three teams per cohort. “The high numbers show great promise for the strength of the squad for the future,’’ he said. Of note were the 7Bs that are yet to lose a game; the 9As that are two and two; and the 7As that are three wins, one loss.

This week, it was also announced that Year 7 boys Makz Alexander and Timothy Bourke, as well as James Pike (Year 6), have been selected to represent WA in the Under 12 State Hockey Team. The boys will compete at the National Schools Championships in Canberra in August. Daniel Timms (Year 11) also made WA under 16 selection earlier this year.

Photographs courtesy of Andrew Baird and Mike Bowles