Who Is Peter Pullin

Peter was educated at St. Brendan's College in Berkeley Square during the war years. He left in1948 to complete two years' National Service in the Royal Air Force and then proceeded to St. Mary's College, Strawbery  Hill to commence his training as a teacher. In 1952 he joined the staff of St. Brendan's to teach in the prep school -no doubt many of you reading this will remember him as the first teacher you encountered on joining the school.

At that time mini rugby was only played at prep school level in public schools, but around 1970 Bill Pit, then headmaster of Hambrook Primary School, decided to include it as a sport at his school. Bill, a very keen player with his local club Frampton Cottarell, arranged a fixture against St. Brendan's which led to him building up a friendship with Peter Pulin. 

The very early pictures of the Peter Pullin Trophy

 With the help of another St Brendan's old boy, Vince McDonald (Treasurer of Bristol Schools), they organised what was deemed to be the very first, large scale, annual mini rugby tournament in the UK. This very successful tournament, with over 40 teams from all over the country participating, it was held annually until 1978 when Peter left St. Brendan's to join St. Mary Redclife School where he remained  until his retirement.  The tournament continued to be held by St . Brendan's Old Boys RFC at Filton Combination clubs and not the schools. I spent many a happy day refereeing at the matches along with many other Combination referees.  Sadly, Peter passed away in1988, but the Old Boys have kept the tradition going thanks to sterling work from Richard Kolanko, Ray Merchant and Chris Groves. It was Peter's tremendous enthusiasm that helped to establish mini rugby in Bristol and that is why he will always be remembered as Mr. Mini Rugby.

The Old Boys are presently striving to survive but getting stronger thanks to the dedication of “The Three Musketeers” and a fantastic nucleus of helpers.

 I would like to thank all of those associated today with The Peter Pulin Tournament, named in memory of Mr, Peter "Mini Rugby" Pullin himself. Long may it continue!

Gery Foley                                                                           Acknowledgements to John Hickey

See Highlights fron 2008 Tournament  Page 2