Given the public discussion around the Kelston Boys vs. Auckland Grammar rugby game brawl it has been interesting to see the marked difference between how the two schools have reacted through their communication with their pupils and the wider public.
I was initially disappointed to hear the principals of both schools, in the first interviews I heard on Monday morning, defend their school and blame the other for inciting the incident. Neither one made the obvious point that no matter what the provocation, such violence is not acceptable.
However Kelston Boys Principal, Steve Watt is to be congratulated because he did just that later on that Monday. What’s more, he took action against his own boys before they had even faced the Rugby Judiciary. Their website shares their statement to the judiciary and the school and firmly puts the blame on all involved. Although they do hold to the view that Grammar incited the incident.
Compare this to Auckland Grammar who has, to my knowledge, so far made no public statement and taken no action against the boys who were involved in the fight – whether they started it or not. Surely the same situation applies and retaliation was not acceptable. Even more for their team, who as the clear winners on the day could have been a little more magnanimous?
One wonders if Grammar’s upcoming final, and the need to ensure they have a full team available, might have influenced their response. Grammar prides itself on its rugby heritage and is known for being the secondary school responsible for producing the most All Blacks. Is this a lesson we want to set for future All Blacks? And what message does it send to the pupils of the entire school.
Furthermore, what has been done about claims that the Grammar Old Boys contributed to the heat of the situation?
When we are constantly hearing about bad boy sports stars misdemeanours in the media, the chance to teach these emerging sports stars about the real consequences of actions has it seems been lost. We have surely shown them that it is about winning the game at any cost.