Refer post above.
My argument is the lack of a programme, talent identification and developmement means they will have the strong years like 2012 but will continue to fall short of their potential and not acheive the consistancy and depth of success that the leading schools enjoy.
As a parent of an Oakhill boy who finished year 12 last year, and also as a former member of the Oakhill rugby committee while my son was at the school, I cannot let Slugga's comments slip through to the keeper.
Been a while since I posted on this forum but I thought I'd log on to read about the midweek Oaks v Auggies game after hearing at Colts yesterday that Auggies demolished the boys from Castle Hill.
The Oakhill Sports Master and teachers do a damm fine job with the resources they have. Oakhill doesn't want to be regarded as a 'rugby school'. There is overt recognition that rugby shouldn't dominate to the detriment of other sports and extra curricular activities. Oakhill wants its students to get a well rounded education and access to a host of learning and other opportunities while attending the college. Having said that, a lot of effort is put in by a lot of people - almost exclusively on a voluntary basis to ensure the rugby teams Oakhill fields are as competitive as possible.
Oakhill was blessed with an extremely strong cohort of players who were in yr12 last year. There were multiple examples of rep players from Eastwood, Parra and West Harbour who couldn't make the age group A team through the years and were unable to make the 1st XV, or in a couple of cases, the 2nd XV last year. There was even a case of an extremely talented player who made the NSW rep U15 & U17 sides but didn't play 1st XV rugby durng his time at Oakhill because of the depth of talent in year 12 last year.
2013 was always going to be a tough year for Oakhill. The current group of year 12 players have not enjoyed a lot of success though their age group years and only 3 or 4 of them played 1st XV last year. Contrast this to Auggies who had a significant number of very talented yr 11 (and a few yr10) players in their 1sts last year.
St Augustines place a lot of emphasis on attracting and developing talented rugby players - and they do a very good job of it. Their results in recent years are outstanding and surely equal to any school in the country.
Slugga, if your son isn't playing at the level you would like at school I can't see how its the fault of the coaching staff. There are regular meetings and debriefs involving coaches within and across age groups and a close eye is kept on emerging talent. Oakhill does a great job with the cattle its got - and that is a key point - the school doesn't attempt to induce or attract athletes of any persuasion to the school. Coaches and players love to win and are proud of their achievements but its not a win at all costs approach - one of the great things about Oakhill rugby is seeing the enjoyment and growth boys get from playing with their mates on a Saturday.
ILTW - thank you for your balanced comments on this topic. I agree with everything you have said and appreciate the points you make.