Foundation sport: The Knox 1st XV white jersey is something players aspire to.
The 1950 1st XV wearing the white jersey.
Jim is pictured above, middle front row, holding ball.
"It was something we all aspired to. It was the prestige Rugby symbol and the white jersey was 'you’ve made it’. It’s just fantastic. Knox Rugby was the start of my rugby career. I was in the 1st XV and Captain of the 1st XV. I was in the Associated Schools 1st XV, and that carried me right through my football career.
"I played for 15 years, coached for nine years, all because of the training I received at Knox Grammar School rugby union.”
"The aura of seeing the Knox 1st XV run out in their white jerseys and black thistles, to this day, is a very, very firm memory for me and I guess seeing the 1st XV when you're in the Junior School kind of really links you into Knox Rugby.
"A few of us...thought that's the jersey we'd like to wear one day, if at all possible."
"The white jersey was the crème de la crème. That was the mountain to climb. I remember Phil (Tuck OKG77) got into the 1st XV for a couple of games in the Fourth Form (Year 10) and so he was an absolute God. As far as I was concerned, he was someone to really aspire to. He was out there on the wing, the big guy out there and played in some of the midweek games that the 1st XV played.
"When he got in the 1st XV it kind of made me think ‘Geez, I really wanna do this as well.’ But that white jersey was pretty inspirational. I remember the guys, Rick Seton (OKG74) and Malcolm Bersten (OKG73) back in my early years as a First Year, watching the 1st XV, 3.15pm on a Saturday afternoon, it was inspirational. You kind of set your sights on wanting to be one of those guys..."
"Being presented with the white Knox jersey means everything to a Knox Rugby player. It means you representing the school at the highest level in Rugby. It is recognition, but also challenging.
"You are a leader within the Knox Rugby Community which provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate and live the school's values of Faith (faith in God, your coach, in your teammates), Wisdom (to know the right things to do and how to act), Integrity (to be strong in sportsmanship, the way you play the game), Compassion (never give up on each other and understand that at times you cannot always win but if you give your all you can be the best) and Courage (courage to try and never give up, courage to defend your team, your coach, your goal line even when things don't seem to be going your way).
"To me the White Jersey of Knox is about tradition, pride in oneself, pride in the team and living some of our School Values through rugby and in sport."
"I would always dream of it. I know it sounds a bit clichéd, but I would. Getting to put that jersey on was probably one of the most satisfying things in my life. I can't really think a much better than that moment."
"It was pretty special to pull on my first white jersey. You represent the whole school when you wear that jersey. You're not just representing one team. To pull on the white jersey means you've worked hard for it. You've put in the hours you've prepared yourself to represent the school and everyone's cheering for you."
"I remember the first Gala Day in Year 7 was against Riverview so I went to watch that one at Knox 1. And funnily enough, my first game in the white jersey was against Riverview at Knox again. So, it was almost a nostalgic feeling. I felt like I've been there before, but I was watching (from) the grandstands. It just meant so much to put that on.
"I remember walking to the change room after our warm-up was done and all the white jerseys were hung up around the room and I thought, 'Wow, I'm finally here. I can finally put this on. I can finally play for the white jersey, play for the school behind me and hopefully get a victory', which we did. It just meant so much at the time and it still does mean a lot watching the other boys playing in the jersey I once wore."
"It felt (like) something that you couldn't explain, like a sense of pride, just knowing that all the hard work that you've done and you're looking up to the kids and the ages before you knew, putting that on, representing the people who have gone to Knox. And now it just feels a big sense of pride to me."
Leave your mark and continue the legacy by donating memorabilia and photographs to the School. Email archives@knox.nsw.edu.au for more info.
