11 May 1912, The West Australian

Australian rules is conscious of the extent to which soccer has gained a strong foothold in the Technical schools in Perth. This is a common theme across states and across history, though it is particularly applicable to Perth at this stage.

The League [Australian Rules] are to be congratulated on the determined effort they are making to place schools football on a firm basis. In past years the boys have felt the want of a capable coach. but henceforth this will be a thing of the past. The League have secured an efficient man in Mr. W. Orr to act as coach, organiser, umpire, and secretary to the Young Australia League, and he will be required to confer with the League delegates from time to time as to the progress of his work. There are 20 schools playing the Australian game in the metropolitan area, and as it will be impossible for Mr. Orr to keep in touch with all schools, it has been decided to circularise League clubs asking for the assistance of their players in the matter of coaching and umpiring. The W.A. Football Association have also signified their intention of helping in this direction. A great drawback to the success of the game in the schools is that nearly all teachers are "soccer" advocates. The Training College at Claremont, from which the Education Department derive their teachers, has adopted the British Association code, and the result is that when the pupils of that college are drafted to the various schools--they do not display much enthusiasm for our national game, and there is therefore a tendency for the game to languish among the boys. The necessity for a coach and organiser is apparent, and League delegates deserve every credit for the manner in which they are dealing with the matter.

The following from the Western Mail on the same day gives a sense in which soccer is expanding. It should be noted that while the footy authorities are in battle mode, Australian rules is still played in more schools in the Perth region than is soccer. However, this battle has never been about finding your space and allowing the other game to make its way; it has tended to be about market domination.

The Junior Association is in a healthy condition. Its numbers have also been augmented since last year. The first grade contains eight teams, namely. Claremont, Fremantle, Training College No. 1 and No. 2,   Swans, Rangers, Y.M.C.A., and Ascension. The new teams are Swans, Training College No. 2, and the Ascension. The latter is from the Church of that name in Midland Junction. There are seven teams in the second   grade, viz., Fremantle, Modem School, Magpies, St. Andrews; Rangers, Claremont, and High School. The Magpies are the latest acquisition to this division. 

The Schools Association give promise of a prosperous season. For some time past the game has been confined to Fremantle, Claremont, and James-street schools, but I am informed that other schools have signified their intention of adopting the "soccer" code. From this, and the fact that the above association have 27 teams under their control, it will be seen that the future prospects of the game are exceedingly bright and that it is gaining favour with the public.