Today, representatives from the Old Foleyans' Association presented some important OSH rugby memorabilia to the Sports Department.
In March and April of 1966, Old Foleyan Mike Pettifer played for England Schoolboys RFC in a double-header against the equivalent Welsh team. The first game was at Twickenham, on the 23rd of March and the return fixture was at Cardiff Arms Park on the 2nd of April. Headmaster Lawrence Sheppard arranged for the whole school to travel to Twickenham to see Mike play, which must have been quite an experience.
Old Foleyan committee members John Whiting, Mark Hammond and Rob Franks presented framed copies of the matchday programmes, together with some photos of Mike in action, to Director of Sport, Andrew Coalter and Head of Rugby, Shaun Perry. Shaun, himself an ex-England international, was able to reminisce about his encounters with the Welsh at both venues. Also, present and representing the current OSH 1st XV was Will Terry, who knows what its like to represent OSH at Twickenham having played there himself in March of 2022 and winning the Continental Types National Vase. Once more, the whole school travelled down to London to see them win the trophy.
It's wonderful to be able to share traditions with past and present students. and let's hope there will be many more opportunities to do so.
This weekend marks an important competition for the OSH 1st XV as rugby players are at the Inaugural John Fisher invitational state schools rugby tournament. Here they will take on some of the best U18 school teams in the country and we wish them every success.
The Old Foleyan Association is the School's alumni network. Every student who leaves OSH becomes an Old Foleyan and are welcome to join the Association to maintain their relationship with our great school, and fellow former students. To find out more, visit www.oshofa.com.