Spectators flooded Stannies' field after the home team won and several players were assaulted.

“The KWS community can be very proud of the behaviour of our students and staff under very difficult and trying circumstances,” Mr McLean said.

“Our students all behaved with dignity and were attentive to the directions of their coaches and senior KWS staff who moved quickly to remove them from the area,” he said. Mr McLean said staff and parents had spoken with police.

Ms Davis, a player’s parent, said Stannies' Old Boys had started sledging Kinross players from the start and it got worse as they scored the first points.

Her son was playing on the wing and was targeted for abuse from the sideline after an attempt at goal. At the end of the game, the Kinross players were engulfed by people streaming onto the field. “It was like a swarm of bees onto a honey-pot,” Ms Davis said.

She said a man ran onto the field and asked her son what it “felt like to lose”. The man was then told to get off the field shortly before he started throwing punches.

“I want the Stannies Old Boys’ reunion moved, our Kinross boys should not have to be exposed to such inappropriate behaviour. Our boys’ safety at Stannies needs to be guaranteed,” Ms Davis said.

Parent Lynne Mortimer said she hoped something positive would come out of the unfortunate incident. “It was a great game of football, played fairly and the boys were great,” Mrs Mortimer said.

“It’s just a few people who spoiled it for everyone. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

Mrs Mortimer said the players were taught to respect other people and the competition. “The school’s motto is better people make better players,” she said.

Stannies’ head of college Dr Anne Wenham confirmed a number of Old Boys engaged in “unacceptable” behaviour.

“On behalf of the college community, I formally apologise to the Kinross Wolaroi community for the behaviour by a minority number of Old Boys who were present at the First XV game on Saturday,” she said.

“I apologise particularly to the players, their families, Kinross coaches, principal and staff as well as Kinross students and supporters who witnessed this behaviour. The actions of a few Old Boys have impacted significantly on a large number of people."

Chifley Local Area Command inspector Colin Cracknell said police were called due to alcohol being consumed. “We are not investigating any other reported incidents at the school."