What if I told you that right here stands a school deeply intertwined with the birth of Argentine football? I am talking about the Buenos Aires English High School. This institution is more than just a school. It is a living monument to Alexander Watson Hutton. He was a Scottish educator who brought modern football to Argentina.
The Buenos Aires English High School also known as BAEHS opened its doors on February 1 1884. Its first location was on Per street in downtown Buenos Aires. Later in 1906 it moved to its current location in Belgrano. Alexander Watson Hutton wanted to put his educational ideas into practice. He had a special focus on football.
Alexander Watson Hutton believed sports were crucial for education. He had previously worked at St Andrews Scots School. He resigned because they lacked funds for sports facilities. He considered these facilities essential for his teaching methods. After leaving St Andrews Alexander Watson Hutton founded the Buenos Aires English High School.
Under Alexander Watson Huttons leadership the school promoted sports among its students. Besides football they also practiced cricket swimming tennis fencing and boxing. To boost football in Argentina Alexander Watson Hutton brought William Watters from Scotland to be a trainer. Some say Watters brought the first footballs from Britain to Argentina.
The school even had its own football team. It competed in the 1893 Argentine Primera Divisin. This was the first tournament organized by the Argentine Football Association. The team also played in the 1895 tournament. In 1898 the government made physical education mandatory in schools. Schools also had to create sports clubs for current and former students. As a result the Club Atlético English High School was founded on October 3 1898.
Later the Buenos Aires English High School football team was renamed Alumni A.C. in 1901. This was required by the Argentine Football Association. Alumni became a legendary team winning 10 Primera Divisin titles. They also secured 2 Copa de Honor Municipalidad de Buenos Aires and 3 Copa de Competencia Jockey Club titles. Internationally Alumni won 6 Tie Cups and 1 Copa de Honor Cousenier. Alumni played its last tournament in 1911 and dissolved in 1913.
Forty years later former students wanted to honor Alumni’s legacy. They created a rugby union club called Asociacin Alumni in 1951. The Buenos Aires English High School approved the use of the name. The rugby team adopted the same red and white colors as the football team. They have won 5 Torneo de la URBA championships and 1 Nacional de Clubes championship.
So as you stand before the Buenos Aires English High School remember its vital role in Argentine sports history. It is a lasting legacy of Alexander Watson Huttons vision and passion for education and football.