Steve Watt: Brawl does not diminish achievements

The principals of Auckland Grammar and Kelston Boys High have given different accounts of who struck the first blow. Photo / Murray Job, Sky Sport

Opinion

From the end of the KBHS v AGS 1st XV match on Saturday, I have expressed my disgust and embarrassment at the appalling brawl at the end of the game. I have at all opportunities fully accepted the part my school played and in no way have condoned any of the thuggish actions committed by Kelston Boys High players.

I have focused on outlining facts. I have openly addressed the issues and the school's culpability through the media, on some occasions conducting 10-minute interviews and then being quoted for a "one liner" totally out of context.

I refer in particular to a statement identified by Brian Rudman and other correspondents I purportedly made, namely, "it was an ugly incident but it is something that is part of society".

My comment referred to the fact that in my position I see the glorification of violence that comes via video games and modern technology which results in this generation disregarding any protocols or sense of consequences for actions when violence erupts.

This explanation, however, was either not presented to or considered by these critics.

I have discussed the incident openly with the headmaster of Auckland Grammar, Mr Morris and, contrary to published opinion, there is still a strong and respectful relationship between the two schools. I have spoken at length at school assemblies on both Monday and Tuesday, expressing my disgust and outlining possible consequences but also discussing strategies for handling such situations.

I have expressed these sentiments publicly to our community and parents.

Within two hours of receiving all the available video evidence I suspended seven boys from school, which is the strongest sanction I can carry out as a principal. In consideration of the AGS circumstances, I have postponed a monthly board of trustees meeting in order to allow the Rugby Union judicial process to proceed as rapidly as possible.

I have publicly offered possible solutions to the prevention of further such occurrences. In my view we are a strange society when we are critical of such actions.

Yes, this incident is a blight on the school, but it does not diminish the fine achievements of 56 years, nor will it impact on the high standard of education offered to current and future students. We will all learn much from this experience.

Having got that off my chest, I would like to address some of the broader issues relating to school sport. Similar to many schools, we have three goals for every student - the best possible academic achievement, the opportunity to participate in co-curricular activities in which they have an interest and the development of appropriate citizenship values.

Sport is a great medium for the development of values. It gives students opportunities to learn commitment, reliability, self-discipline and self-control, team participation skills, relationship skills and the ability to handle pressure, to name a few.

It also gives young people the opportunity to experience different environments, different cultures and simply enjoy themselves when learning. Furthermore, within a school such as this with obvious barriers to learning such as language, sport gives young people the opportunity to experience success.

We are so fortunate in New Zealand to be able to offer our young people these opportunities. In 30-plus years of secondary school teaching I have witnessed thousands of sporting experiences, which have been totally successful in all respects. Human nature being what it is, of course there are exceptions. However, during that time the number of episodes such as this one I can count on one hand.

To put this in perspective, then, it would be a shame if this incident sullied the huge benefits that come from secondary school sport.

First XV rugby in Auckland is arguably of as high a standard of school rugby as there is in the world. To win a 1A championship requires a team to be able to maintain an exceptional level of performance throughout a long season against schools with sometimes quite differing tactics and physical make-ups.

In my view, currently the most attractive rugby played in the country is at this level. It far exceeds the excessively prevalent kicking games seen at higher levels. The level of commitment, physical fitness, skill level and team co-ordination of a current 1st XV far exceeds the 1st XVs I coached earlier in my career.

Educational consultant John Langley says this is only school sport. Nonetheless these athletes are, in some cases, one or two years from playing professional or top amateur sport.

We are doing them a disservice if we do not provide them with a distraction-free environment to perform. Hence my comment that, in high-stakes matches such as semifinals and finals, the use of neutral and secure venues could be considered.

* Steve Watt is principal of Kelston Boys High School. He was educated, and taught, at Auckland Grammar. He played rugby for Auckland as a goalkicking prop.