Combined Rugby Tour
St Ives Sportsmaster Mr Brett Townley-Jones gives an account of a successful combined Preparatory Schools tour to Port Macquarie and Armidale.
On the final day of Term 1, twenty boys, sixteen from St Ives and four from Edgecliff, dressed to impress in their fresh kit, ready to embark on a rugby tour that would become a lasting memory. Accompanied by Mr Andrew Cranna, Mr Oliver Ottosson and Mr Brett Townley-Jones, the group set off for Port Macquarie, where they opened the tour with a confident 35 – 5 win against Saint Agnes’ Primary School.
But the tour was about more than just rugby. The boys embraced every moment, building camaraderie and enjoying a wide range of activities. In Port Macquarie they bowled at Strike, learned to surf at Surf School, climbed through the trees at Treetops, and tested their agility and teamwork at Centre of Gravity with laser tag and rock climbing. These experiences helped forge strong bonds between the boys from both campuses.
From Port Macquarie, the group travelled inland to Armidale where they met up with Mr Germaine and faced some of the strongest junior rugby teams from Queensland and New South Wales. Their opponents included Caboolture, Moree, Goondiwindi, Tamworth Tricolours, and Pacific Lutheran School. The boys shared accommodation with teams from Sunshine Coast and The Scots College, quickly forming friendships, although they did lose the pool table rights in a spirited contest.
Across six games, the team secured two wins and four competitive losses. Each match was a hard-fought contest, and while not every result went their way, the boys showed resilience, sportsmanship, and determination throughout.
In the end, the Armidale Rugby Tour was not defined by scores, but by the spirit of the team, the friendships formed, and the memories created. It was a celebration of teamwork, character, and having fun; an experience that will stay with the boys for years to come.
Sydney Grammar School
College Street, Darlinghurst
NSW 2010 Australia
Phone: (02) 9332 5800
Edgecliff Preparatory School
Alma Street, Paddington
NSW 2021 Australia
Phone: (02) 9366 0100
St Ives Preparatory School
Ayres Rd, St Ives
NSW 2075 Australia
Phone: (02) 8302 5200
