Old Barker Association (OBA)

OBA Committee

Sandy Hollway (64)

Chris Russell (70)

Following the success of its debut performances, the Old Barker Association Big Band has been in full swing. In mid-October the band performed in Gordon at St John's Anglican Church for their annual fete. Our set feature fast paced "burners" including a stunning solo feature from Benjamin Mead. We have also been delighted to perform a set of band favourites at the annual OBA dinner. Our newest piece, "in a Mellow Tone" showcased the sheer talent in our sax section due to the lightning fast phrases.

If you're in the mood for groovin' visit our website www.OBABigBand.com and send us an email.
 

We would like to thank Simon Smith, Director of Music, the music staff and the Old Barker Association for all the support we continue to receive as we move the Band forward.

Listen to us here.

Our resident conductor and founder is Andrew McWade who is the Director of Bands at Barker. Andrew created the group in the setting of furthering Barker Music mission to create a lifelong love of music even once students have left school. The OBA North Shore Wind Symphony consists of old Barker students and musicians in the wider community who are passionate about making meaningful music.

The OBA North Shore Wind Symphony is open to advanced instrumentalists subject to space in the group but all instrumentalists are welcome to enquire.

Contact: northshorewindsymphony@gmail.com
https://www.northshorewindsymphony.com/
 

Currently, there are two OBA teams which have been by invitation only for advanced players. Any OBA member is welcome to apply but please note that players will only be accepted into these squads following a trial.

For beginners or any level players, we would be keen to assist in forming a team in the Sydney North Volleyball B2 competition played on Monday evenings at Willoughby Leisure Centre. If this sounds like something that is of interest to you, please reach out to Calan Butler.

Callan's contact details are:
Cbutler@barker.nsw.edu.au
+61 431 178 658

The BOBs Cricket Club participates in the City & Suburban competition. The City & Suburban Association is made up of many and varied teams including opponents such as Old Boys sides from Cranbrook, Knox, St Aloysius’, Grammar, and Scots (established 1904). Other teams in the competition include District teams such as Hunters Hill, Paddington as well as cricketing institutions including I. Zingari and the Cricketers Club of NSW. The competition is played using a limited-overs format on Sunday afternoons and played on turf wickets. There are no age limits, just an opportunity to play with old and new friends against school day foes, ex grade players and basically people who enjoy their cricket.

BOBs Cricket is fortunate to have the ongoing support of the Old Barker Association and the College. Strong links have been maintained with the School; the Club encouraging recent students to continue their cricket with the BOBs Team. Barker allows BOBs the use of No 1 oval or Rosewood, and their wonderful ground staff ensure that these are in pristine condition when we play at Home.

Our side was successful in winning the Jack Pace Memorial Shield in season 2014/15, defeating Knox Old Boys in a gripping encounter. Barker Old Boys Cricket Club is proud of their record in securing a finals spot over the past 4 seasons and looks to maintain it’s strong performance in the years to come.

The spirit within this years team is tremendous and we are always looking to expand on our squad of keen cricketers. It is a truly enjoyable experience, turning up each week to take to the field with a side of men anywhere between the ages of 18 and 44. All players continue to uphold the spirit of Barker College in each match, both on and off the field.

If you are looking to maintain your cricketing abilities, or rediscover them, or perhaps you just don’t have the time week in and week out to commit to a full season – whatever your situation, just contact BOBs Cricket and seriously enjoy yourself!

Contact Lachie Lloyd (Club Captain) 0416 685 944 lachielloyd1@gmail.com or find us on Facebook: Barker Old Boys Cricket

The Old Barker Football Club invites all recent Barker College school leavers, men and women, to continue to play sport. Last year OBFC had a very successful year for all of its teams, and we are looking to attract more players to the club.
 

A bit about the club

Old Barker Football Club (OB FC) was founded in 1991. The club was until recently known as Barker Old Boys Football Club or BOB's and only officially changed its name in 2014 to reflect the continued participation of Women as integral members of the club.

The club's formation was driven by Jeremy Hook, the former Barker College School Captain of 1988, who rallied a number of alumni to leave the local teams they had been playing for and join together under the OB FC banner. The club started as a single team in the bottom division of the Kuringai District Soccer Association (KDSA) and over a period of 5 years grew into a 4 team club with over 60 members, playing in the top division (Premier League) of the KDSA and winning two premierships within those first 5 years.

Moving forward nearly twenty years, the club fields 7 teams with over 100 members and a strong growth profile. In men's all age the club has squads in the recently renamed Northern Suburbs Football Association's (NSFA) Premier League, Division 5 & Division 6. In 2012 the club welcomed its inaugural women's team who currently compete in division three of the womens all age NSFA competition. Reflecting the strength of the world game at Barker and the inspirational leadership of Craig Harris in the 1980's - the player base spans over 18 years with players from many years well represented across the club.

OBFC Divisions

OB FC competes broadly across the NSFA competition. We have six teams in the men's all age competition and one women's team in NSFA's Division 3. We encourage fair play across all divisions of play and our teams are regularly recognised as the best and fairest team in their competitions, as voted by the Ku-Ring-Gai District Football Referee Association's (KDFRA) referees.

Men

For the more competitive footballer we compete at the highest level in the NSFA with a premier league squad that trains twice a week. Although we foster the most relaxed approach towards our football of all Premier League teams, selection for this squad is meritocratic and will reflect your individual football skill and fitness.

We have a Division 5 and Division 6 squad which each have their own first and reserves team. These teams are encouraged to attend training but this is an optional opportunity and many of our players just enjoy a socially competitive hit out on the week-end. The club supports players of all skill sets and endeavours to find a football team that aligns well with each players values.

Looking to the future we hope to attain promotion for our Division 5 squad into Division 4 and introduce an over 35's team.

Women

We currently have one women's team that participates in NSFA's Division 3. We are always interested in growing player numbers and anticipate that in the next few years we can have two or even three women's teams in competition.

Training is not compulsory and we mix training for the women's team with men's all age division five and six. This has provided a fantastic opportunity for the clubs women who on a regular basis outshine the men at trainings.

Social

OBFC prides itself on maintaining a socially competitive approach to our members involvement in football. We maintain an open culture that encourages the social and football development of all club participants. Although we maintain a close association with Barker College and act as an Alumni club, we welcome like minded people from all backgrounds interested in playing football and meeting a terrific group of men and women. We have a broad player base with around a 50/50 split between ex-Barker and non-Barker players and currently enjoy member participation from international recruits relocated from Catalonia (Spain), UK and Holland.

Throughout the season various social occasions are arranged around events such the A-League grand final, English FA Cup Final, regular Player of the Month Drinks, the End of Season Awards Dinner and the infamous End of Season Tour.

The positive attitude and welcoming culture that we foster at OB FC has seen steady growth in the participation base of the club's membership.

Membership Fees

We have three tiers of club membership. These are designed to accommodate the different life stages of our members to encourage participation across all ages, as well as strengthen our association with Barker Alumni's.

WORKER | $390

A worker is defined as anyone who is not a University or TAFE student.

STUDENT | $320

This membership tier is for any current University or TAFE student who did not attend Barker College.

ALUMNI STUDENT | $290

This membership tier is for Barker Alumni's currently studying at University or TAFE.

Additional Fee Disclosures

The fees above represent the fees associated with club registration for the 2017 season. They may not be reflective of costs in future years. OB FC provides playing kits but retains ownership of these kits, which are to be returned at the end of the season. Kit socks are not included and will need to be purchased separately. Participation in club social activities or personal OB FC branded merchandise is not included in the registration fee.

What’s next?

Please refer to our Facebook page below for details on pre-season training and trial matches. Alternatively call or email me to find out a bit more about the club. 

Peter Gregory
President – Barker Old Boys Football Club
0400 419 253
Contact@OldBarkerFC.com
www.facebook.com/bobsfc
www.oldbarkerfc.com

Old Barker Rugby Club is an inclusive rugby club on Sydney's upper North Shore. 

OBRC competes in 2 men’s Grades, Women’s 7s & Colts (u21s).

If you would like to play, coach, volunteer, or be involved in any way, please contact Jack Finnegan on 0408 777 467. Or email at bobrufcsecretary@gmail.com.

Keep updated with relevant news, fixtures and events here.

OBA Theatre provides all Barker graduates with the opportunity to return to the Barker theatres and re-immerse themselves in the joys of putting on plays in a theatre company comprised entirely of Barker College Alumni.

Stay up to date with our performances here and reach out if you would like to be involved.

The OBA Christian Fellowship aims to offer the opportunity for the multi-generational network of Barker alumni to meet, connect and encourage one another in their faith journeys. 

We would love to grow our network even more. If you are interested in joining, please join our Facebook Group here.