The Sacred Heart Old Collegians Association (SHOC’s) is an incorporated organisation representing the former students of Sacred Heart College and has been in existence since 1907. The Association comprises over 16,000 Members.
SHOC’s is run by a committee of dedicated volunteers who give up their time to create opportunities for old scholars to keep in touch with each other.
SHOC’s also provides support to related sporting groups. Currently SHOC’s run a football, netball, soccer (both male and female) and a cricket club. There are also a group of old boys who play tennis every Saturday during summer (some of whom are in their 90’s).
SHOC Events
Every year, SHOC Class Reunions bring the Hearts family back together. We assist reunions for the graduating classes of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 years, as well as our popular Post-1950s Reunion for older collegians.
Reunions are a special way to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate the unique experiences shared at Sacred Heart. They’re organised in collaboration between the College and SHOC volunteers from each class, with plenty of support provided, from event setup and bookings to guest lists and ticketing.
The format is typically casual, cocktail-style, and cost-effective, often held at the Highway Hotel in Plympton.
Interested in helping to organise your reunion? Want to find your classmates?
Contact Charlotte Marling at shoc@shc.sa.edu.au for guidance and support.
SHOC History
The Sacred Heart Old Collegians Association (formerly referred to as “Sacred Heart Old Boys Union”) was established in late 1907 while Sacred Heart College was located at Largs Bay. Brother Brendan was the Principal of the College at the time, having taken over from Brother Stephen who fell ill with typhoid fever.
The conversation took place after a cricket match between past and present students on Largs Reserve which was followed by a dinner at the College hosted by the Marist Brothers and Brother Brendan. At the dinner, the formation of an old boys union was suggested and within a fortnight a well attended meeting of ex-students, with Brother Brendan as chair, decided to form an ex-student’s association.
The Sacred Heart Old Collegians Association was created to promote the school in the workplace and community, demonstrating just where the school is going and providing feedback to the school as to the community’s response to its aspirations and operations.
The Sacred Heart Old Collegians Association was very active through the years 1907 to 1910 and held regular events such as a Communion Breakfast, a Banquet, a Drag Picnic (a drag was a large, open four-wheeled vehicle drawn by four horses and accommodating from 20 to 25 people) and sporting past v present fixtures in cricket and football. Attendance at all of these activities was excellent and interest ran high. Significant contact with the College was maintained by many of those who had attended the College.
There was starting to be growing confusion about who could be a member of the Sacred Heart Old Boys Union given that the Marist Brothers had taken over a school at Norwood and the Port Adelaide School which had once been the home of Sacred Heart College now had a secondary department.
Given that Brother Placid had recently become Principal of Sacred Heart College and he had a strong affiliation with Marist Brothers School at Norwood, he felt it was his position to do something about this and made a move to change the constitution to allow old scholars of other Marist schools to belong to the organisation. Hence a meeting was held on 27 April 1911 where it was unanimously decided to extend the union by inviting all ex-students of Marist Schools in SA to join and a new name was decided on, Marist Brothers’ Old Scholars’ Association.
Standing: James McGuire, John Curtin (later elected second President), Brother Brendan, Aloysius Gatzemeyer, Charles Darwent, Jim Miller.
Sitting: Roy Mansfield, Thos Doherty (Secretary), Len Howard (First President), Brother Wilbred, William Byrne.
In 1923 it was decided that it was time to form a new association just for the ex-students of Sacred Heart College and in the Southern Cross on 8 June 1923 the following remark is reflected:-
“The promoters of this society feel that the present MBOSA is not able to effectively cater for the wishes of the past pupils of this College. It is an association of all ex-students of the Marist Brothers’ day schools at Port Adelaide and Norwood and of the College at Glenelg. The Committee feels that the unity of interest and the feeling of affection towards one’s old school (so essential to the success of an old scholars’ association) cannot exist when there is no one institution to which members can look as their Alma Mater. Furthermore, the ex-students of Norwood have their own association, and the present MBOSA is inactive.”
There is no record of the Annual General Meeting of the Sacred Heart Collegians Association held on 15 June 1923 but it was at that meeting that Jack Davoren was chosen as the first President. It wasn’t until 1995 that it became known as the “Sacred Heart Old Collegians Association”.
SHOC Clubs
One of the best ways to stay connected after graduating is by joining one of our SHOC sports clubs or programs. Whether you’re after high-level competition, social connection, or just want to keep active with friends, there’s a club for you!
- SHOC Football
The SHOC Football Club is more than just a sporting team; it’s a proud tradition that spans over five decades and remains a valued and active part of the Sacred Heart Old Collegians community. Founded in 1968, SHOC Football Club has a rich history of passion, resilience, and community spirit. Football for old scholars first appeared between 1917 and 1921, with the Marist Brothers Old Boys playing at Victoria Park Racecourse. The modern SHOC Football Club story began in the 1960s, when the Sacred Heart Collegians Old Scholars Association decided to form an official team. Over the years, the club has cemented its place in South Australia’s amateur football scene, boasting standout achievements, incredible player milestones, and a proud tradition of representing Sacred Heart with honour.
In the 2025 season, SHOC FC entered the Adelaide Footy League Division 1 for the third consecutive year, a testament to the club’s strength, stability, and high retention rate of over 90%. The club successfully filled four senior men’s teams, welcomed 25 new or returning players, and provided opportunities for every player to develop both on and off the field.
The pre-season begins in the later months of the year, with training twice a week across summer to prepare for the April kick-off. The club has also invested in match filming and review programs, alongside a coaching team with AFL and SANFL pathway experience, to provide players with the best possible environment for growth.
Off the field, SHOC Football Club lives by the”ONE CLUB” mantra, fostering a strong, inclusive culture that values mateship, respect, and community as much as on-field success.
The Broadway Motel Hotel (BMH) is our major sponsor and the hub of our Saturday nights. After each round, we come together with the SHOC Netball Club for weekly presentations at the BMH, a tradition that keeps the camaraderie going long after the final siren. It’s a great spot to connect with players, supporters, and friends from both clubs. Whether you’ve been on the field, on the sidelines, or just love the club atmosphere, you’re always welcome.
Whether you’re aiming to play competitively, socially, or just want to stay connected to your Hearts mates, the SHOC Football Club welcomes you. Get in touch to join or support!
Email: info@shocfc.com.au
Instagram: @shocfootball
Facebook: SHOC Football Club
- SHOC Netball
Founded in 2002 by a passionate group of Sacred Heart Old Scholars, the SHOC Netball Club has grown steadily into a vibrant, welcoming, and competitive club that truly reflects the spirit of the SHOC community. Over the years, it has become a place where lifelong friendships are formed, skills are developed, and the love of the game is celebrated.
Winter Season
Our winter season is the heart of the year. Trials are usually held in mid to late February, with the season beginning in early April. Keep an eye on our social media for exact dates and announcements as the season approaches.
Training is held on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm during the winter season at Sacred Heart College, 195 Brighton Road, Somerton Park.
Summer Season
The summer season is a little more relaxed with no trials required. For the 2025 summer season, games are played on Sunday nights and will take place at the Anzac Highway courts while renovations are underway at Netball SA Stadium. There is no training during the summer season.
The club continues to go from strength to strength. In the 2025 winter season, we were proud to enter seven teams and welcome an incredible 25% increase in new players. It’s exciting to see so many new and familiar faces come together under the SHOC banner.
Get Involved & Support
We’d love to see our family, friends, and the wider SHOC community come out on Saturday afternoons at Netball SA Stadium to cheer on our players. Your support makes a huge difference.
The Broadway Motel Hotel (BMH) is proud to be our major sponsor and the heart of our post-match celebrations. Each Saturday, we join forces with the SHOC Football Club for weekly presentations at the BMH, a tradition that’s as much about connection as it is about sport. Whether you’ve played, coached, cheered from the sidelines, or just want to be part of the atmosphere, everyone’s welcome.
Follow us on our socials for updates on game times, results, player spotlights, sponsor news, and social events throughout the year.
SHOC Netball Club warmly invites you to join us on the court, support our teams, or get involved by joining the committee and helping shape the club’s future.
Email: shocnetball@gmail.com
Instagram: @shocnetball
Facebook: SHOC Netball Club
- SHOC Soccer
Founded in 2003, with the women’s team beginning in 2010, the SHOC Soccer Club embodies the inclusive spirit of the Sacred Heart Old Collegians community. Over the years, the club has developed a proud reputation for on-field success, off-field camaraderie, and a strong connection to the Hearts family.
Whether you’re an experienced player, a first-timer wanting to learn the game, or a passionate supporter, SHOC Soccer welcomes you to be part of the action. The season kicks off in April, with men’s matches played on Saturdays and women’s matches on Sundays. New players are always encouraged to join and carry forward the tradition.
The 2025 season marked a special milestone of 10 years of SHOC women’s soccer. Since 2015, the women’s side has grown into an integral and competitive force within the club, displaying the same determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship that have long defined SHOC.
SHOC Soccer Club plays its home games at Brighton Road Oval in Somerton Park. Since joining the South Australian Collegiate Soccer League in 2007, the club has gone from strength to strength. A 6th-place finish in their debut season was followed by steady improvement and historic success:
Today, SHOC Soccer has four men’s teams in the Collegiate Soccer League and one women’s team in the FSA Women’s Community League. The club has consistently competed in the top CSL division since 2007, standing alongside Rostrevor, Pembroke, and Uni White as mainstays of the competition.
SHOC Soccer is about more than match results, it’s a place where lifelong friendships are formed, old scholars reconnect, and players of all skill levels find a welcoming environment to enjoy the game they love. Get in touch to join or support!
Email: info@shocsc.com.au
Instagram: @shocsoccer
Facebook: SHOC Soccer Club
- SHOC Cricket
Founded in 1962, the SHOC Cricket Club has been a proud summer sport tradition for more than 60 years, offering both competitive and social cricket for Sacred Heart old scholars. The club celebrated its 50-year milestone in 2012, and its legacy continues to grow with each season.
The roots of cricket within the Sacred Heart Old Collegians community go back as far as 1907, when the Association regularly hosted “Past vs Present” cricket and football matches alongside other popular events such as banquets, picnics, and communion breakfasts. This rich history of camaraderie and competition still shapes the way the club operates today.
The club competes in the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association, fielding teams across a range of formats, including two-day matches, one-day (40 overs), and T20 competitions.
Pre-season training begins in August and runs through to the end of September, preparing players for a summer full of cricket action. Matches are played throughout the warmer months, with opportunities for both serious competition and relaxed, social games.
Whether you’re chasing runs in a competitive fixture, enjoying a casual hit with mates, or simply wanting to stay connected with your Hearts community over the summer months, the SHOC Cricket Club welcomes players of all skill levels.
Email: shoccricket@gmail.com
Instagram: @shoccricketclub
Facebook: SHOC Cricket Club
- SHOC Tennis
Social tennis at its best, where good vibes, great people, and grassy courts come together. The SHOC Tennis Club offers a relaxed, inclusive way to enjoy the game on some of Adelaide’s finest lawn courts. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just learning to rally, this friendly community is all about fun, fitness, and forging long-lasting friendships.
The origins of SHOC Tennis stretch back to October 1963, when Elizabeth Crowe, looking for a new Saturday pastime, teamed up with Joe O’Leary to start a small tennis group. What began with just a few players on hired courts has evolved into a much-loved institution. Over the years, the club has played on various courts before settling on the Sacred Heart College courts in 1966, a move that cemented SHOC Tennis as a regular summer fixture.
Guided for decades by strong leaders, the club has maintained high standards on and off the court, from wearing proper tennis attire to upholding a spirit of camaraderie that has made SHOC Tennis truly unique.
The summer tennis season runs on Saturday afternoons, and while tradition is important, so is the future. New players, especially younger old scholars, are warmly invited to keep the club’s proud history alive.
Greg Walkington: greg@lakesandportside.com.au or 0417886623
Tony Proud: tony@proudlybuilt.com.au or 0450533641
Sue MacCarthy: 0439 499 881
- SHOC Athletics
Since its founding in 2008, SHOC Athletics has provided Old Collegians with the chance to stay active, challenge themselves, and enjoy the camaraderie of training and competing together. The club welcomes athletes of all abilities, from seasoned competitors aiming for personal bests to those who simply enjoy a casual run and staying connected with the SHOC community.
SHOCs participate in a range of local athletics meets as well as broader community-based sporting events, embracing both the competitive and social sides of the sport. Whether you’re into sprinting, middle-distance, or just keeping fit, there’s a place for you in the SHOC Athletics family.
Training sessions are held at Bowker Street Oval at 5:30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the summer months, offering a supportive and motivating environment to improve your fitness, refine your technique, and enjoy the outdoors.
With a friendly atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to compete, volunteer, or simply cheer on fellow SHOCs, joining SHOC Athletics is a great way to keep the Hearts spirit alive all year round.
Luke Hildyard: lukehildyard@shc.sa.edu.au
- SHOC Immersion
Looking to give back, experience a new culture, and connect with our global Marist family? The SHOC Immersion program offers Old Collegians the opportunity to walk alongside local communities, support rural education projects, and form lifelong friendships.
The idea for SHOC Immersion began with a simple conversation between a group of like-minded Old Scholars who shared a desire to continue connecting with Marist communities beyond school. After 18 months of planning, fundraising, and preparation, the first inaugural team of ten SHOCs departed for Cambodia on 2 January 2020, heading to the rural Marist community of Pailin, near the Thailand border.
In Pailin, the group worked closely with the Marist Centre of Hope and Marist Education Centre, supporting English lessons, assisting with boarding school construction, and sharing games, conversations, and laughter with local students. The experience was enriched by the hospitality and wisdom of the Marist Brothers, whose dedication to education in rural Cambodia left a lasting impression on the team.
In 2025, the SHOC Immersion team once again spent two inspiring weeks in Cambodia with our Marist friends in Pailin, returning full of stories, gratitude, and unforgettable memories. From working with students at the Marist Centre of Hope and the Marist Education Centre to supporting the LaValla Project, our Old Collegians immersed themselves in the spirit of service and connection.
The SHOC Immersion is more than just a trip; it’s a chance to deepen your connection to the Marist spirit, live out values of service and compassion, and see firsthand how small actions can make a big impact.
If you’re passionate about social justice, eager to experience life in a different culture, or simply looking for a meaningful way to give back, we’d love to have you on the next SHOC Immersion journey.
Email: shocimmersion@gmail.com
Instagram: @shoc_immersion
