Former player and premiership-winning rugby league coach Tim Sheens was in his element on Tuesday afternoon when he returned to his old stomping ground, St Dominic’s College in Kingswood.
The 73-year-old attended the school from Years 7 to 10 in the 1960s before moving to St Gregory’s College in Campbelltown for his senior years.
Tuesday was the first time in decades that Sheens had stepped foot in the school, and it was for a very special occasion.
With Sheens’ two former high schools going head to head in the NRL Schoolboy Cup that afternoon, St Dominic’s alumni was invited to attend the game and cheer the young boys on.
An Old Boy of both colleges, Sheens was the special guest of honour as the two teams battled it out for the inaugural Tim Sheens Cup.
Speaking with the Weekender before the game, the former Panthers, Raiders, Cowboys and Tigers coach was proud to be involved.
“No one’s bothered to name a grandstand after me or give me a statue, so it’s a great honour to have the Tim Sheens Cup,” he said.
“I’m really pleased that the school came to me and asked me to be involved. I accepted without hesitation.”
Sheens graduated from St Dominic’s in 1966 before moving to St Gregory’s in 1967. He was made school captain as well as captain of the footy team in 1968.
Sheens, who declined to tip a winner on the day, said he had a great connection to both schools and fond memories of his time as a student.
“I have great memories of years gone by and I’ve got a good attachment to both schools,” he said.
“I was last here at St Dominic’s in the late ‘60s to early ‘70s before I moved down to Canberra. Back then, most of my schooling took place in the main building, although I finished Year 10 in the building along Copeland Street.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed seeing some of the Old Boys here today that I haven’t seen since school.
“So that has been a great buzz for me.”
While Sheens enjoyed reminiscing with old friends and walking down memory lane, the latest generation of St Dominic’s alumni was also in attendance including brothers Nathan and Jett Cleary and rookie Panthers forward Mavrik Geyer.
Despite leading for much of the contest, St Dominic’s lost the Tim Sheens Cup 12-10.
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender’s Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.
