Stonyhurst hosted its biggest event in thirty years to celebrate its Centenary of Rugby. Old Stonyhurst boys and former international rugby players, Barry O’Driscoll, John O’Driscoll, Kevin Barrett and Joe Ansbro were among the attendees of the once-in-a-lifetime event.
In 1921, the school moved away from football towards rugby as the primary field sport. To mark the centenary, Stonyhurst hosted a two-day celebration, sponsored by Gallagher Insurance, with rugby at its heart. Events kicked off with a Decades Tournament showcasing a wealth of Stonyhurst rugby talent on Friday 3rd June. Ten former Stonyhurst teams graced the rugby pitches once more, representing their year group and showcasing the rugby skills honed during their school years. Teams ranged from former pupils who left Stonyhurst in 2001, to those leaving more recently in 2020.
John Browne, Headmaster said:
‘To celebrate any centenary in a school’s history is rare and to have the opportunity to do so with so many members of the Stonyhurst Family was wonderful. This tournament undoubtedly showed the Jesuit 3Cs – namely courtesy, compassion, and a keen sense of competition as our historic 1st XVs once more took to our rugby pitches. The friendships formed on the rugby pitches of Stonyhurst, that have lasted a lifetime, were on display once more.’
Following the tournament, a dinner was hosted with over 470 guests in attendance, where a panel made up of former Stonyhurst pupils and rugby internationals, Barry O’Driscoll, John O’Driscoll, Kevin Barrett, and Joe Ansbro, spoke about their memories of life and rugby at the College.
During the Rugby Centenary year, the school has redeveloped its rugby facilities, focusing on the 1st XV pitch, Smithfield, where a distinctive new players’ and supporters’ pavilion has been built, with cornerstone funding from Stonyhurst’s Gibraltar community, and supported by the ‘Captains’ Campaign’ led by the historic 1st XV Captains. In recognition of the generosity from Stonyhurst’s Gibraltar alumni together with the Huobi Charity Ltd., the new pavilion has been named ‘The Gibraltar Pavilion’.
Joe Ansbro, former Scottish International, and Stonyhurst Old Boy said:
‘I first played on Smithfield as an 11-year-old, in the final of the St Mary’s Hall 7s tournament, against Kirkham Grammar. The size of the pitch was daunting, but the electric atmosphere supercharged us, the home team. Fast forward seven years and that pitch and that home support inspired me to pursue rugby to the highest level I could reach. Whether I was in the crowd, or on the field, Smithfield was always a special place to watch a special game.’
Whilst reflecting on its past, Stonyhurst’s plans for rugby are firmly in the future. With developing links to Sale Sharks, Stonyhurst provides its young boys and girls with the opportunity to perform at an elite level. The school’s Sports Scholarship programme offers an enhanced pathway for pupils who are talented in rugby and other major sports and who are serious about taking the next step towards a professional career.