The co-curricular sport programme in the School is seen as a means to an end and not an end in itself. We believe that there is considerable merit in boys being involved in team sports in representing their School even at a low level and in experiencing the rewards and frustrations of winning and losing matches. Because participation in games helps the physical, mental and social development of the boy, it is compulsory for all boys to take part in the games programme unless they have been excused for medical reasons. Even if a boy has been excused from participation due to medical reasons he will be expected to be involved in the sport programme in an official capacity eg scorer, time-keeper, statistician, goal umpire etc.

Whilst it is recognised that the aim of all competitive games is to win, it is important to remember that we should not try to win at the expense of fair play. The School takes considerable pains to teach boys the importance of this and it seeks the co-operation of parents in adhering to these principles. In particular, parents are asked to refrain from querying decisions made by umpires and from barracking in an offensive manner. No alcohol should be consumed by parents at any School sporting function.

In the Senior School, boys choose one of basketball, cricket, rowing, swimming, volleyball, water polo, sailing and tennis as their summer game and one of badminton (Year 10 -12), cross country, football, hockey, rugby, and soccer as their winter game. Boys do athletics for five weeks during the second half of Term 3. Street Dance is again being offered to boys in all Years. Street Dance enables the boys to experience a number of different styles including Funk, Break Dance, Hip Hop and Contemporary. The moves from these styles will be incorporated into performance pieces for the ACHPER (Australian Council of Health, Physical Education and Recreation) Dance and YOH (Youth On Health) festivals. Boys will also be developing fitness and choreographic skills.

In addition to the competitive sports offered above Year 11 and 12 boys can select Strength and Conditioning in Summer or Recreational Games in Winter as an option. Boys are asked to make their sport preference during the preceding season.

Boys in Years 8 and 9, for the most part, have games practices on Mondays and Wednesdays and inter-school, or intra-school games on Friday afternoons starting at 2.00pm. Boys in Years 10, 11 and 12 have their practices usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays and their interschool games on Saturday mornings. Some cricket matches extend into Saturday afternoons. Boys who select rowing or swimming may well be involved more frequently during the week. Training can be held before or after School depending on the availability of facilities and/or coaches. Practice during inclement weather will only be cancelled if there is a perceived danger to the boys eg. during an electrical storm.

It is acknowledged that boys are involved with sporting groups outside the School, and at times clashes occur. In these situations it is expected that School commitments will take priority over outside interests. Where a boy has sporting interests within and outside the School, parents should be wary that he does not over-commit himself.

If students cannot attend training or competition commitments as a consequence of a medical condition, there is an expectation for a note to be provided either before the commitment or the next day. If a note has already been provided as a general note to the School, it is a courtesy to advise the coach that such a note exists. If a boy cannot participate in sport as a result of a long term medical issue, the School must receive an update at least once every 12 months. If a note regarding a chronic illness has not been received, it will be assumed that the boy has recovered from the pre-existing condition.

Part-time employment is not an acceptable reason for a boy to be exempt from his training or competition commitments.

Practice and Match Times

In general, sport practices conducted in the morning will run from 6.40am to 8.00am. Those held in the afternoon will occur between 3.45pm and 5.10pm. As the different games are played in different areas of the School, parents may find that the most convenient place to collect their son after games varies from one season to another.

For a variety of reasons, including weather, number of playing fields available and the duration of a match, it is difficult to give precise information about when Year 8 and 9 boys will finish their interschool matches on Friday afternoons, or when they will arrive back at Scotch after playing at another school.

Broadly speaking, Friday matches against other schools start at 2.00pm. Cricket would be expected to finish at about 5.00pm, Tennis at about 4.00 - 4.15pm, Rowing at about 3.45pm (at the Boat Shed), Basketball at 4.00pm, Volleyball at 3.00pm and Water Polo at 3.30pm. Time of travel back to Scotch will vary according to where the game has been played.

Boys should be advised of their likely finish time and time of return to Scotch by the staff member concerned, at least one day before the event. Travel details are also posted on the Scotch website.

Travelling to and from Matches

Years 8 & 9

Summer and Winter Games: When travelling to and from games either away at another school or at Scotch, the dress is School uniform or School track suit.

Years 10, 11 & 12

Summer: When travelling to games, either away at another school or at Scotch, the dress is the uniform for that game (cricketers and tennis players in Ist XI and Ist VIII should wear blazers), or Scotch track suit (as appropriate) or School uniform with School shoes.

Winter Sports: When travelling to games, either away at another school or at Scotch, the dress is the uniform for that game with Scotch track suit or School winter uniform or blazer uniform.

Travelling Home from Practices

Public Transport: Boys travelling home in public transport after practice must wear School uniform.

Summer Games: Boys travelling home by bicycle or on foot or in a parent's car, may wear the correct training uniform for that sport or School uniform (swimmers must wear School uniform or track suit).

Winter Games: Boys travelling home by bicycle or on foot or in a parent's car, may wear the correct training uniform for that sport (excluding boots with stops or cleats) or School uniform.

Physical Education: For Physical Education classes in Senior School the dress is games shirt, navy shorts, predominantly white socks and sport shoes (only non-marking sport shoes may be worn). For water related activities in Physical Education classes only, the School maroon bathers or the navy physical education shorts may be worn.

Excursions: Normal School uniform will be worn on all School excursions, unless there is good reason for permission to be given by the Deputy Head for casual or working clothes to be worn.