The first recorded game of Public School Football was between Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College, on 7 August 1858, when the ‘Morning Herald’ announced that there would be a ‘grand’ football match that day. Reportedly, there were forty in each side, including three Masters. It was played in what is now known as Yarra Park. Play began at noon and ceased when the players tired. At the end of the first afternoon they were drawn at one goal each. As it was agreed that two goals would comprise a win, the match continued for another two Saturdays without further scoring, and was declared a draw.
Ten years later, on 17 June 1868, John C Field, was requested by the Scotch College Rowing Club to challenge the Melbourne Grammar School boys to “a friendly four-oar gig race; the race to be rowed on Thursday 18 June, from the Botanical Bridge to Edwards’ boat-house, and subject to such conditions as the crews agree to. He plodded from Eastern Hill through swamp and bush land and rowed across the Yarra to deliver this challenge. This race was the first Public School Boat Race in Victoria, and is now known as The APS Regatta (Head of the River).
These two significant events, together with some other games between six Public Schools, eventually led to the formation of the Associated Public Schools of Victoria in 1908, which now has eleven member schools. The schools participate in many sporting competitions, from junior ages through to senior levels, and abide by an accepted Code of Conduct and Regulations.
The Associated Public Schools of Victoria (APS Sport) sporting programme is administered from APS House, in Morrison Street, Hawthorn, Victoria, under the guidance of the Executive Officer (Mr Luke Soulos).
Wed | Feb 10 | APS Summet Team Sport Captains Function |
Thurs | Feb 11 | APS Girls' Delegates Meeting |
Sat | Feb 13 | 2010 Summer Team Sport Round |
Swimming & Diving Lead Up Meets | ||
Wed | Feb 17 | VPSSA/APS Zone Tennis [Boys & Girls Singles] |
Sat | Feb 20 | 2010 Summer Team Sport Round |
Swimming & Diving Lead Up Meets | ||
Tues | Mar 16 | APS Boys' Combined Swimming & Diving [MSAC] |
Wed | Mar 17 | APS Girls' Combined Swimming & Diving [MSAC] |
Sat | Mar 20 | The APS Regatta (Heads of the River) [Nagambie] |
