One hundred years ago yesterday, on 7 September 1915, the first recorded football (soccer) match played at Newington took place.

The match was not played by Newington boys, but by a group of visiting British soldiers. The Headmaster, Rev Charles Prescott, in his role as a military chaplain, had come across some 50 men of the Devonshire Regiment who had been stationed in India but had come to Australia escorting German prisoners, including some of the crew of the SMS Emden. Prescott invited the Devons’ commander, Captain Partington, and his men to spend an afternoon at Newington.

‘As the men mingled freely with the boys,’ The Newingtonian reported, ‘they were regaled with various presents, chiefly cigarettes, which were greatly appreciated.’ Two teams were then picked from among the men and a lively game of soccer — ‘rather an unusual spectacle for Newington Oval’ — followed, to the loud cheers of the boys, who had formed themselves as barrackers for the two teams. Following the match, two fresh teams of soldiers put on a tug-of-war, the winners then having a match against a Newington team.

After their exertions, some of the soldiers took a refreshing dip in the College baths, while others were taken to the top of the Tower. Afternoon tea was served on the lawn at 5 o’clock, with the visitors reported to have kept the boys ‘amused with various anecdotes and incidents in their experiences.’ After tea, a whistle was sounded to bring the men into formation. Following a farewell from the Headmaster and with much cheering from the boys, the visitors marched off, ‘displaying in their movements a perfection which only keen interest and constant practice can acquire.’

It was not until the early 1960s that organised games of Football started at Newington, with ‘Country versus City’ matches among the Wyvern House boarders. A 1st XI was first fielded in 1975 and the GPS competition started in 1988.

Mr David Roberts
College Archivist