It’s no secret that rugby runs through Newington’s veins.  

From our earliest recorded game 156 years ago against Sydney University to the first chronicled inter-school game between Newington and The Kings School in 1870, rugby has always been a vital beat in the College’s lifeblood; part of our history and heritage and a spirited connection between our students, families and alumni.  

Three weeks ago, we watched with pride as Allan Alaalatoa  (ON 2011) captained the Wallabies to victory in the Test against Georgia.  

In June we were collectively delighted when not one, but four Newington ‘Immortals’* –  Aub Hodgson (ON 1929), Roy Prosser (ON 1959), Nick Farr Jones (ON 1979) and Phil Kearns (ON 1984) were named as inaugural inductees into the NSW Waratah’s Hall of Fame.  

That’s a whole lot of rugby to make us proud.  

And it’s this, our community’s love of rugby, past, present and future, that struck the College’s new Director of Rugby, Mr Ben Herring, when Newington College played Riverview at home recently. 

‘It was my first opportunity to experience and see up close Newington’s rugby teams and their community, as well as the school’s strong historical ties to rugby, which are held in such high regard within the school and whole GPS system,’ says Mr Herring. 

‘From the rousing sideline support given to all the teams, especially the 1st XV which never gave up in its bruising 35-38 encounter with Riverview, to the huge number of parents, friends and Old Newingtonians manning the BBQ and cheering on their child’s team before staying to support everyone else’s child, it was a marvellously run and well-supported day.’

Headmaster Mr Michael Parker said Mr Herring will make an important and invaluable contribution to continuing Newington’s long and proud history of rugby.  

“We are delighted Ben has joined our College and look forward to all our teams and sports staff benefitting enormously from his long established and respected rugby prowess and dedication.”  

Mr Herring comes to Newington with impressive credentials: he is a former professional rugby player in New Zealand and England, as well as former Head Coach of New Zealand’s Otago team and Japan’s Toyota Verblitz club. He will experience his first Back to Newington Day on August 17 when Newington meet Kings – complete with its trademark war cries and black and white fervour.  

Fifteen years as a professional rugby coach across the world, Mr Herring says the fundamentals remain the same whether coaching a national side or Newington College.  

‘The main thing is we want our players to enjoy the game, but rugby has always been a great game to play because it teaches resilience which, in my experience, helps grow really good young people,’ he says. 

‘When you play rugby, you are not only getting the physical challenges, but you also learn to bounce back from the emotional and mental challenges too. It’s tough losing games, not being selected and dealing with injury but it is these physical, mental and emotional challenges that build resilience and teach players to be humble.’ 

Mr Herring is already employing his skill at understanding what drives team success alongside the importance rugby plays in creating a nurturing environment where students can thrive. 

‘It’s all about the two Ps – participation and performance,’ he explains. 

‘Like any academic subject, there are students who have a natural affinity and aptitude for rugby and there are those who are happy to be involved and participate. 

‘I want students who enjoy rugby to keep playing the game and participate.  

‘At the same time, it’s about ensuring those Newington rugby students with the ability to perform at a higher level are given the pathways that support and expose them to greater opportunities to achieve for themselves and all our Newington College community.’