NOT SO MUCH a grudge match but a battle of wits when Year 12 students took on the teachers for their last day at school at Foster Secondary College.
Watching on with keen interest from the sidelines was College Principal Dean Duursma.
The eighties AFL recruit and former senior coach of Foster and now father to the AFL Duursma dynasty of Essendon midfielder Xavier Duursma, North Melbourne midfielder and forward Zane Duursma,
Carlton running women’s winger Yasmin Duursma, and seventeen-year-old Willem Duursma, potential top AFL draft prospect for 2025, Victoria Country representative and key Gippsland Power defender.
With Principal Duursma relegating son Willem to umpiring the balance was tipped in favour of the teachers including past premiership players from Foster and Inverloch/Kongwak.
Maths, Health and Human Development teacher and Year 12 co-ordinator Richard Johnston was a stand-out for the Foster teachers with glimpses of his form from the Foster-Tigers Alberton League 2010 premiership side.
Year 12 students Alby Edgelow and Lucas Buckland worked hard all day and former Leongatha Parrot and Inverloch/Kongwak Sea Eagle Shem Hawking played a blinder for the teachers.
Both male and female teachers as well as young men and women from Year 12 were selected in the sides.
Standouts were Todd Holman, Jay Walker, Sammi Zeller and Kit Rotthier, with the stronger players finding themselves frustrated to a degree by missed chances and mishandling in front of goal.
Pony Club National Junior Coach of the Year Adeline Collins was an inspiration for the female players.
The annual teachers versus Year 12 students football match is a day of celebration to mark the last day of the school year for the seniors at Foster Secondary College before the start of VCE exams.
“It was fantastic to see them all competing,” said College Principal, Dean Duursma.
The game as always was played in great spirit and has become a popular tradition at Foster Secondary College.
“Everyone out there was having fun,” said Principal Duursma.
The day started with teachers cooking Year 12 students breakfast followed by a game of golf then lunch at the Foster Golf Club.
The teachers maintained their stranglehold over the event winning 10-6-66 to the students’ 9-6 60 in trying conditions.
Still to come for the Year 12 students is the final roll call, valedictory dinner, and awards night for all year levels on the last day of school.
