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St. Bernard’s Old Collegians Football Club - a brief history
In 1961 St Bernards was a very small school of
less than 300 students but against the odds managed to win the ACC 1st
XV111 football competition and from that fledgling beginning the seeds
of a great club were sewn. Today St Bernards has grown to become one of
the biggest football clubs in the State with over 400 players
representing the club from Auskick to seniors. St Bernards is a major
force in VAFA ranks and widely respected throughout the broader
football community.
1963 saw the birth of a vibrant club co-founded by Peter Nathan and Jim
Overman under the presidency of the late Kevin Tobin, the coaching of
the late Jack Kent, and comprising most of the 1961 school premiership
team.
Co founder Peter 'Nartz' Nathan
Immediate success followed with the club being the first ever club in
VAFA history to win senior and reserve premierships in its inaugural
year. Another important milestone in 1963 was the opening by the
College of a new campus in the current site at West Essendon which
remains a strong supporter of the club and source of many recruits.
St Bernard's made it two senior flags in succession in 1964 winning the
D Grade grand final against Old Brighton Grammarians. C Section proved
a somewhat tougher nut to crack, but after consecutive preliminary
final defeats in 1966 and 1967 the side made it through to the
premiership decider in 1968, While disappointed to lose the grand final
against Footscray Technical College Old Boys, the club continued its
rise being promoted to B Grade for the 1969 season before moving up to
A Grade and enjoying great success in the seventies.
St Bernard's contested three A Grade grand finals in the seventies,
losing to powerhouse Ormond, before winning the 1975 flag over North
Old Boys. After just thirteen seasons in the VAFA the club had reached
the very pinnacle of the amateur game, an achievement which ranks with
the most noteworthy in the competition's history. The 1976 season saw
the same two sides contesting the grand final with North Old Boys
turning the tables. Adding to the trophy cabinet, St Bernards won the
Under 19 (1) flags in 1972 and 1977. and Peter Aughton won the coveted
Woodrow Medal in 1977.
The 1980s opened with Bernie Angel winning the clubs second Woodrow
Medal in 1980 but the remainder of the decade saw St Bernard's
alternating between A and B Grade, winning B Grade premierships in 1984
and 1987 and another Under 19 (1) flag in 1983.
In 1991 St Bernards prevailed in our B Grade grand final clash with Old
Xaverians and returned to A Grade. Luke Gollant took out our third
Woodrow medal in 1998 and after appearing in several finals series the
club made the 2000 Grand Final losing to Old Xavs.
Another finals appearance in 2001 was followed by our second A Grade
flag in 2002. The side produced a scintillating all round performance
to win by 31 points, 20.15 (135) to 15.14 (104). Danny Byrne, was named
the Jock Nelson Medalist for best afield in an A Grade grand final, the
club's first.
In another strong period for the club St Bernards played off in all
three Grand Finals in 2003 with our Under 19 (1) side Premiers and
undefeated Champions, the Reserves made it two flags and the Seniors
just missed a clean sweep being Runners up to Old Xavs. The club made
its third consecutive A Grade Grand Final in 2004 being Runners up to
University Blues.
St Bernards have built a
remarkable history from a small club with two senior sides in 1963 the
club is now one of the most respected clubs in Victoria providing
superb facilities, first class coaching and an a wonderful family
environment to its players and supporters.
To pull on a St
Bernards jumper is a privilege that links those from the past to those
that represent the future.
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