From Lasallian Legacy to Rugby Royalty

As well as playing for the All Blacks, brothers Beauden, Jordie and Scott Barrett are proud alumni of Francis Douglas Memorial College (FDMC). This Lasallian school in Taranaki, New Zealand, offers a truly well-rounded education that develops its students’ athletic potential alongside their spiritual and intellectual growth. The college sports experience is something few players ever forget, but Beauden and his brothers have especially fond memories of their years at Francis Douglas. 

"I always wanted to play rugby and, you know, I thought I'd be playing for Coastal every Saturday and potentially living my dream of playing for the Amber and Black," says Beauden. "The rest has sort of been a dream.” 

Francis Douglas Memorial College features four rugby fields and two football pitches. As a regional college, it might not seem like the type of school that produces all-star players. Former first XV coach and current Principal Tim Stuck says that the college has never been “rugby-focused”. A few previous players went on to “Taranaki NPC but the majority just left after school and that was it” he says. 

Former Principal Martin Chamberlain agrees that sport is not FDMC’s main priority. When it comes to Stuck’s tenure as coach, Chamberlain says, “He's worked on making the man before he's worked on making the rugby player. I think if people learn responsibility, self-discipline, training, being kind to others and being open to being a team member, all of those things, if those come first then the rugby skills can be built on that.” 

This holistic mindset reflects the college’s core values as a Lasallian institution.

The college’s strong sense of the Lasallian community also helped Beauden reach his current success. He grew up admiring former FDMC first XV player Conrad Smith, who was on the college’s First XV in the late 1990s. After joining the All Blacks, Beauden still visits his old college and makes time to get to know the current line-up. 

“It's an amazing achievement to make the first XV for your school,” says Beauden. “For a lot of the players, first XV's the best rugby they'll ever play and it's the pinnacle for them.” 

Today’s FDMC students have a healthy respect for those who played the game before them. Posters, awards, and previous championship lists highlight these accomplished players throughout the school. Aside from the Barrett brothers, other notable rugby alums include Ricky Riccitelli of the Blues, Teihorangi Walden formally with the Highlanders, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens with the Highlanders and Liam Coltman who played with the Highlanders and All Blacks. 

These former students inspire the current FMDC XV players. Their legacy also makes FDMC feel like a good fit for these young athletes. 

"I think in some ways the current students see it as quite ordinary," Chamberlain says, "because they knew [the players] here as ordinary, humble, grounded boys.” 

Beauden is proud that the college’s history of success shows that any school can produce a winning lineup and stellar athletes. First XV has seen recent accomplishments like beating their across-town rival, winning more than 90% of matches in some seasons, and completing the treble (beating De La Salle College, Palmerston North Boys’ High School, and New Plymouth Boys’ High School). 

Despite the College's focus on academics and personal development, its rugby success does play a role in the college’s recent growth. The number of students who also play rugby has slowly increased since Beauden’s years at the college. Enrollment has risen since he joined the All Blacks. There is also now a waiting list full of hopeful students. 

Stuck, Chamberlain and Barrett all feel that their rugby program benefits students across the school, regardless of whether they play the sport after college—or at all. "There's no doubt that those guys have shown you can get to that next level,” says Stuck. Watching these players gives current students “the realisation that their dream might be possible to reach,” says Chamberlain.  

Finally, “it’s about hard work and patience,” says Beauden, mirroring FDMC’s emphasis on personal growth over sport. “You never know when that opportunity might come up."

Image: Taranaki-Daily News