St Peter’s and Uplands College keep the rivalry alive
Celebrating over two decades of fierce rivalry and friendship, St Peter’s College and Uplands College wrapped up another unforgettable Derby Day filled with thrilling sports, partnerships, and shared values.
From May 23–24, St Peter’s College proudly hosted its highly anticipated annual sports rivalry against Uplands College, a tradition that has become a cornerstone of both schools’ sporting calendars for more than two decades.
Since its inception about 22 years ago, Derby Day has blossomed into a vibrant weekend of competition, camaraderie, and shared values.
According to Dave Short, the head of sport at St Peter’s College, the event was originally conceived as a reciprocal relationship with like-minded schools, fostering both sporting excellence and strong school partnerships.
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“Uplands College Derby Day has been around for about 22 years,” he said. “It started as a discussion between the current headmasters at that time, with the idea to create a meaningful exchange between our schools. It quickly grew into a highlight of our sporting calendar, a home and away rivalry that builds excitement year after year.”
The recent weekend matchups added to the ongoing rivalry, with 20 games played, with St Peter’s winning 11, drawing two, and losing seven. The results reflect a fiercely competitive and evenly matched series that keeps both schools eager for the next encounter.
The weekend’s festivities kicked off on Friday with hockey for boys and netball for girls. On Saturday, the action shifted to hockey for girls and rugby, with approximately 300 students from each school bused to St Peter’s College for the matches.
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Short added that beyond traditional sports, the event had expanded over the years to include debating, squash, tennis, and chess, enriching the cultural and extracurricular aspects of the rivalry.
He also emphasised the broader significance of Derby Day. “It’s a fantastic weekend of sport and partnership. It’s about building relationships, sharing values, and fostering resilience and responsibility among our students. Both schools regard this as a special occasion that allows young people to connect, compete, and create lasting memories.
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