It was a historic Back to Newington Day that capped off one of the College’s most successful winter sports seasons as our community came together to jubilantly celebrate not one but THREE Newington AAGPS Premiership winning teams – the 1st XV Rugby AAGPS 1st XV Joint Premiers, 1st XI Football AAGPS 1st XV Undefeated Premiers, and 2nd XI Football AAGPS 2nd XI Premiers. 

History makers. 

That’s how the late great Barry Ross, rugby authority and author of 150 Years of Newington Rugby, described Newington’s 1st XV AAGPS Rugby victory in 2010 when the College won its eighth AAGPS Rugby premiership and its first ever AAGPS Rugby Championship. 

Fast forward 16 years, and Barry Ross’ tribute is once again a fitting accolade to the incredible results we witnessed on Johnson and Buchanan Ovals on Saturday: a long-awaited AAGPS Rugby Premiership, the first in 11 years, and incredible back-to-back AAGPS Football Premierships wins by Newington’s 1st XI and 2nd XI Football teams. 

For the first time in the history of the College, Newington 1st XV and Newington 1st XI and 2nd XI teams claimed AAGPS Premierships in the same year. It is also only the seventh time any AAGPS school has won the 1st Rugby XV and 1st Football XI Premierships in the same season. 

Mr Mark Dickens, Head of Sport at Newington, says the achievement of securing three AAGPS Premierships in one season reflects the dedication, commitment and collective efforts of many people across the College community. 

‘These results are the culmination of years of hard work by our students, coaches, staff and families, all of whom have played an important role in supporting these young men along the way.  

‘We are incredibly proud of the players for the way they represented Newington throughout the season. Their willingness to consistently give their best for one another was outstanding, and these Premierships are a fitting reward for that commitment.’ 

It has been 11 years since Newington 1st XV won the AAGPS Rugby Premiership after they were crowned Joint Premiers with St Ignatius’ (Riverview) on Saturday. In 2015 and 2013 we were joint premiers with Scots College, and in 2010 and in 2012 Newington made history when it enjoyed its first AAGPS Championships (winning every match of the season).  

Speaking also of the football action that unfolded on Buchanan Oval, Mr Dickens says to see Newington 1st XI and 2nd XI repeat back-to-back AAGPS Premiership titles is phenomenal. It is the first time a AAGPS school has won both 1st XI and 2nd Premierships and ‘Plates’ in a season and the fifth time Newington has won both 1st and 2nd XI Premierships in the same season. It is also the first time a school has won successive Premierships since St Ignatius’ in 2007–2008. 

‘We are totally thrilled for the boys – both games were played in great spirit. These results once again point to the dedication and commitment of every Newington player, coach and our parents 

Mr Dickens also praised the Newington AFL 1st XVII; valiant runner’s up in the Sydney Independent Schools (ISA) final to Waverley College last week. 

‘While naturally disappointed with the result, the team represented the College with great pride, determination and sportsmanship throughout the season. To reach the Grand Final is a significant achievement and reflects the commitment of the players, coaches and families who have supported the program. We are incredibly proud of all they accomplished this year.’ 

Did you know? 

• Newington students compete in a range of winter sports including rugby, football, AFL, athletics, cross country, snowsports, tennis and volleyball. 
• Our students choose from more than 50 sporting and co-curricular activities. 
• Newington is the only GPS school in NSW to field a 1sts and 2nds team in six GPS sports.