Barker On Field Sports Uniforms

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Mission An Anglican community inspiring every learner every experience every day

Vision To be a leader in Christian education that is characterised by a global vision that inspires hope

Values Commitment Compassion Courage Integrity Respect

We acknowledge the Dharug, Darkinjung, Wonnarua and Yolŋu peoples who are the traditional custodians of the land on which Barker College, Darkinjung Barker, Ngarralingayil Barker and Dhupuma Barker stand.

We pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging of the Dharug, Darkinjung, Wonnarua and Yolŋu nations and extend that respect to other Indigenous people within the Barker College community.

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From the Head of Barker College Sport at Barker brings students together as a team – united in the wearing of the School colours of red and blue.

There is no greater pride than to represent your School every week on the field, on the court, in the water. It is here that our young men and women learn to understand the importance of being there for their team; trying their best and it teaches lessons for life that are learnt nowhere else at school. Sport also provides our students with great memories of good times shared together wearing the Barker ‘red’.

Over the course of the past two years, a committee of staff and students have worked closely with prominent designer Jonathan Ward and OnTrack, a leading Australian company in custom-made sportswear, to review, refine and update Barker’s sporting and co-curricular garments. The signature Barker ‘red’ now connects the academic uniform with the sporting and co-curricular livery to reinforce the strong Barker narrative.

The review included refining the approximately 50 different sport and co-curricular uniform items and paring this back to 28 items. As a fully coed school with students at different ages and stages, the aim is to ensure students feel comfortable in what they are wearing and to privilege the story for our 1st teams.

The final design beautifully marries together Barker’s two reds – the deeper academic red and the on field sport red.

The new on field sport uniforms allow for flexibility and versatility. The jerseys and shirts are gender neutral and can be worn by girls or boys, creating an inclusive environment across all sports.

New features include reversible shirts and jerseys that can also be used for training and reduce the need to purchase additional training garments. The Barker crest features on all garments – both All School and 1st players and we are proud to incorporate the Indigenous design on many of our 1st team garments. The introduction of the 1890 locker tag on the on field sporting garments has proven to be a popular feature with the students.

We thank Jonathan Ward, OnTrack and Noone, as well as the many students who have provided their insight and feedback on the designs, to help us tell this story of the ‘Reds’.

Phillip Heath Head of Barker College

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The Brief and The Design – from Jonathan Ward A ‘one Barker’ look and feel would not be complete without designing a new core PE, on field sport and co-curricular uniform to compliment the refreshed academic uniform introduced by Barker a little over two years ago.

From the very start of the design brief, we listened to what the students wanted so they would wear the final garments with pride. The design concept has incorporated the academic red with the brighter sporting red, setting a signature handwriting for the new look on field sports uniforms.

The on field garments now reflect a more contemporary approach in design and fabrics. We have incorporated classic and tailored fits in the range of garments, with the design focus on accommodating students at all ages and stages, rather than being about gender.

Working with OnTrack ensured that all of the on field garments have been designed with high performance fabrics and quality fit. The latest sportswear technology and trends have been incorporated in all the garments.

We have included in the range, a number of garments that incorporate the School’s Geuram Barker Indigenous artwork, which will feature on the on field garments during Indigenous sporting rounds.

The final collection offers a classic Barker feel, but with a very contemporary expression.

Jonathan Ward Designer – Jonathan Ward Collection

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Sport lies deep in the heart of Barker’s rich traditions. It was Barker’s rugby team in the mid 1890s which first wore red and blue as the School’s colours.

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History of the Red The boys had been challenged by a team from Galston to a game, and went to Headmaster Rev Henry Plume and told him they would have to get jerseys in the School colours to be able to play.

At that time, Barker did not have School colours, and the boys asked the Headmaster what the colours should be.

Plume was not a great fan of sports, and had no real preferences. He said to the boys that perhaps they should organise jerseys of red and blue, the colours of his old College at Cambridge University.

So they did.

In 1905, ownership of the School transferred to William Carter.

From the beginning of his time as Headmaster, Carter’s ambition was to transform Barker College from a small scholarly school to a wellrounded institution where students could embrace both academic and sporting endeavours.

It was argued that whilst alleviating boredom and providing students with a structured after school and weekend activity, organised sport increased school spirit and pride amongst the students.

Consequently, in that same year, Barker College employed its first Sportsmaster, Mr L A Redgrave, and the School fielded its inaugural 1st XV Rugby and 1st XI Cricket teams. The only score known from these inaugural seasons is that of the 1st XV team beating The King’s School 31 to nil.

When girls arrived at Barker in 1975, Netball and Hockey were the only competitive sports on offer. Tennis was added the following year, followed by Cricket in 1977. As there were few opportunities to play against other girls’ schools, the Barker teams were entered into the local district competitions, often having great success. Unable to field their own Swimming and Athletics teams, Barker girls would compete alongside their male counterparts at CAS carnivals.

The 1990s was a period of great change for girl’s sport. In 1993 Barker was admitted to the Independent Sporting Association (ISA), opening up new avenues for competition and ensuring girl’s sport gained momentum and recognition.

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The growth and varied interests of the student population has diversified the range of interschool sports on offer.

Tennis was introduced in 1959, followed by Squash and Basketball in 1964. The 1970s saw the introduction of Football (1970), followed by Fencing (1971), boys’ Waterpolo (1978) and Surf Life Saving (1979). Softball (1982), Volleyball (1987) and Cross Country (1988) were introduced in the 1980s, followed by girls’ Basketball (1991), girls’ Waterpolo (1991), Dance (1992), Taekwondo (1994) and girls’ Football (1998) in the 1990s. Touch Football (2011), AFL (2014), Rugby 7s (2016) and Rowing (2021) are some of the more recent additions to the range of sports on offer.

For more than 130 years, red has been proudly worn by Barker students competing in all manner of sporting endeavours. Whether on the field, in the water or on the court, it is not the success or failure of the team that matters, but always how the School’s motto, Honor non Honores, is upheld.

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Why are we introducing a new on field sports uniform?

What are the main differences?

One of the main differences is the increased consistency of design between sports and for the male and female players of those sports. All design elements carry through each of the uniforms. There is now an All School version, as well as the 1st team version. Most importantly, sport performance fabrics that are fit for purpose and everyday wear, have been used across all garments.

From time to time, changes occur in the life of the School. However, whilst change occurs we always remember our origins and the things that bind us together across the generations.

There are currently 50 different sport uniform items across the School.

Consultation and feedback from our parent community highlighted the significant costs associated with each of these uniform items.

Students have already commented on the improved fit of garments, as well as the increased use of sport-specific items to complement on field performance.

Paring these items back and offering a core sport uniform with choice, became a guiding factor. It was also important to provide an on field sport uniform that had a contemporary feel, was flexible and comfortable to wear. Specialty garments across individual sports that complement performance have also been included in the new range.

Will red remain the dominant colour of the new on field sports uniform?

Yes. Barker students have proudly worn the ‘Red’ on the sporting field for decades. It is who we are. The predominantly red shirts, dresses and jerseys for our 1st teams will continue to feature and the red and navy will remain the primary colours for the All School sports uniforms.

We have always had two distinctive reds at Barker – the academic, or deeper red and the sport, or brighter red. The new design cleverly marries the academic and the sport red.

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What will the cost impact be on families?

The cost implications for families has been at the forefront of the Uniform Committee’s decision making.

Reducing the number of individual garments per sport with a focus on ‘crossover’ items that can be used between sports, has been a key consideration. Students from the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools will wear the same on-field sport uniforms. The pricing of the new uniform is in line with current prices, or has been reduced in some cases.

How will the new on field sport uniforms be phased in? Will there be a transition period?

Will there be compulsory or core items that I should be purchasing?

The new Barker tracksuit is a core item that students will wear to and from their sporting fixture. The tracksuit jacket is a tri-core jacket with a fleece lining in the academic red.

The design is contemporary and is already proving popular with our students. The tracksuit is available now for purchase from Plume Store or Noone Chatswood.

We want our students to feel connected as a team and to wear their uniform with pride when playing for their School. Therefore it is expected that all students will wear the new on field sport uniform from the start of the 2022 winter season.

Year 12 students in the Open Teams and competing for the School in their final season of sport, may continue to wear the old style on field sports uniform. Year 8 – 11 students may choose to wear their old on field sports uniform during training.

The new garments will be available to purchase from the Plume Store and Noone Chatswood from 21 March, 2022. The core sport shorts, polos and tracksuits are available for sale now.

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How will the numbering system work on specific shirts and jerseys?

If my child makes a 1st team, will I need to purchase that uniform?

New Basketball, Football, Hockey, Rugby and Touch Football uniforms will include sublimated printed numbers. These will be randomly allocated depending on the size of the garment for students within each year level. The Sports Department will work closely with Noone to ensure the dispersion of numbers in each year level avoids duplication.

Students selected in a 1st team will purchase their uniform from the Plume Store. The Sport Coordinator will provide the Plume Store with a list of names and only students on the list will be able to purchase a 1st uniform. Please note 1st uniforms will only be available at the Plume Store and not Noone Chatswood.

Will it be possible to mix and match the old and new on field sports uniform?

With the exception of our Open Teams and Year 12 students competing in their final season of sport for the School, all students are expected to purchase the new on field sports uniforms.

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Will new supporters’ gear be available for the community to purchase?

Yes! A new range of supporter’s gear is under development including scarves and caps and these will be available from the Plume Store in the coming months.

When can students start wearing the new on field sports uniform?

Will we be able to donate the old on field sport uniforms back to the School?

The on field sports uniforms will be available to purchase from Plume Store and Noone’s Chatswood Store from March 21 2022, in time for the commencement of the winter sports season.

Yes. For the last couple of years Barker has donated the old uniforms to Worn Up, an organisation that makes new things from old. Each collection of non-wearable uniforms contributes to Worn Up’s target of saving 100 tonnes from landfill. The annual collection of old uniforms takes place in Term 4.

Students will also be able to continue to wear the old style on field sports uniforms for training for a period of time.

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91 Pacific Highway Hornsby NSW 2077 Australia 20 • Sports Uniform 2022

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+61 2 8438 7999 barker.college March 2022