September 19, 2026
CARE TO DANCE?
Ones, Twos go through to the GF.
A Century of the Red & Black
The OXFC Committee, in conjunction with the Committee of Life Members, is delighted to announce that another four great servants of the Old Xaverians Football Club have been elevated to Life Membership.
The quartet of new Life Members, in chronological order of first service, comprises:
· Christopher Callinan (dec)
· James Hawkins
· Luke Howard
· Matthew Ball
They are the 76th, 77th, 78th and 79th Old Xaverians to be recognised for this honour. They will be officially inducted at a special Toorak Park match-day function next year.
After leaving Xavier in 1966, the late Chris ‘Tipper’ Callinan played 166 games for the Red‘n’ Blacks over ten seasons between 1967 and 1976. He was club captain in 1974.
Beyond his playing days, Chris was a mentor to many OX players and supporters looking to further their careers. He was most generous with his advice and regularly introduced our people to his extensive business network.
Until his passing in 2023, Chris was one of the OXFC’s top-tier financial members for over 25 years. Chris served on the committee from 2001 to 2010. He was a Vice President in 2004.
He was a patient, wise and generous man who gave plenty of his time to our club despite other heavy commitments.
'Tipper' was a Xavier person through and through, serving as OXA President and as Chair of the Xavier College Board.
His sons Peter (deceased) and Michael also gave our club great service as a coach and player, respectively, and the Callinan family's 60+ year’s association with our club continues unbroken with Pete’s daughter Emily playing with the WOX.
James Hawkins finished at Xavier in 1992, and began his 205 game career with the Red ‘n' Blacks the following year. By 1994, he was captain of the U19 team, and took them to a premiership that season.
The Hawkins ascendancy continued in 1995 when he played in the Reserves’ premiership, and won the Best and Fairest. He followed up with four senior flags in five years: 1996-97, 1999-2000.
In an era of high-profile players and great success, James was the ultimate team player, underrated, trusted, and courageous. He played for his club and his mates, and his coaches came to rely on the quick, tall wingman-turned-defender, who enjoyed some big moments taming star opponents in finals and grand finals.
He played out his career as captain of the Reserves in 2004, and was the runner for Pete Callinan’s Reserves premiership team in 2007, and performed the same role forthe senior team for most of 2008.
James remains a financial member of our club and since his formal connection with our club came to an end, he has proven a generous employer and career confidant to Xaverian players.
Luke Howard, known to most as ‘Ronnie’, played 236 games for the Old Xavs between 2001 and 2013. His potential seemed evident when he played in the U19 premiership and won the Best and Fairest in his first year, but he found no easy route into the senior team.
Rather, Ronnie’s career was a lesson in perseverance before the pay-off. He played in two Reserves premierships in 2002 and 2006, interleaved with a Reserves Best and Fairest in 2003.
Despite his light frame, he was, kilo for kilo, one of the most fearless players ever to represent the Old Xaverians. His tackling was ferocious, and he was finally rewarded with regular senior games as a small forward. He never let his team down, applying almost manic physical and vocal pressure to opposing defenders who got in his way.
Howard played in senior premierships in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2013. In the club’s narrow win in the 2009 Grand Final, the umpires accorded him the great honour of the Jock Nelson Medal for the best player on the ground.
Howard remains a financial member of the club and maintains a strong interest in the club’s progress.
Matthew Ball was a welcome addition from Hawthorn when he joined the club in 2009. He subsequently played 103 games for the Old Xaverians over six seasons, until his retirement at the end of 2014.
Wedged in between were three senior premierships in 2009, 2010, and 2013, a four year spell as captain of the club 2010-2013, a Best and Fairest in 2012, and Big V representation in three consecutive years in 2009, 2011, and 2012.
Since hanging up his boots, he was an assistant coach for the seniors for four years, and has served on the OXFC Committee since 2019. A thoughtful and passionate Old Xaverian, he has been the club’s Football Director, helping to manage coaches and the football program through the COVID interruption and the rebuild of Toorak Park. Matthew has had a key role in the recruitment of players and operation of the Women’s program.
Matt has been a long-time corporate partner of the Old Xavs through the family company Ball Brands.
The following criteria below provide a guide for minimum service to the club in order for a person to be considered for Life Membership.
Meeting one criterion does not guarantee Life Membership.
· Played a minimum 180 Men’s First XVIII games or a minimum 150 Women’s First XVIII for OXFC
· Played 15 years at any level of the club
· Served the club in an honorary capacity for 15 years
· Combination ofthe above and/or Exceptional Contribution to the club (e.g. 20 years majors ponsorship, longevity of coaching, lasting impact on the club)
· A nominee must be a financial member of the Old Xaverians Football Club.
