Sport Update | Mr Tony McGahan
Cross Country
Starting fresh on Day 1 of Term 1, the Cross Country program has been working hard to create an environment that fosters hard work and talent to produce a good result next Thursday 16 May. We have had consistent numbers at training, each week trying to hold numbers of 80-100 people per week. This was considerably harder in the summer months as we battled a summer of hot and humid conditions. However, this set the precedent for a great team mentality, learning to know the human body's limitations and continually testing them. In Week 8, we tested ourselves at Churchie and placed 2nd with a strong performance. In Week 9 of Term 1, we set our sights on TSS and placed 3rd against the other GPS schools.
After Term 1, we held our annual Easter camp at TSS. This was well attended, with 52 boys attending after Easter Monday. The team bonded, set goals, and set their sights on a season that would turn heads across the GPS. We capped off our Easter camp with the traditional King of the Hill competition. This competition seeds all students into four hill-running rounds, followed by a quarter-final, semi-final and final race. Our captain, Will Charles, aptly won this.
In Term 2, we have completed three meets at present. In Week 1, we were able to win our home meet. This is an excellent indication of the strength of our program and the participation. We started the meet with 120 athletes at Victoria Park/Barrambin, ready to complete a challenging, hilly course. In Week 2, we went to Nudgee College and placed 3rd at the meet with another strong showing. At the end of Week 3, we completed the Limestone Park course, the same course we will use for GPS, and placed 4th in the meet. As we look to the Limestone Park Championship, we have put our best foot forward, with the boys continuing to train at an extremely high level. Each age group has bought into the ideals of the program. This has been led by a strong senior age group that values the participation side of Cross Country and has created an environment that has brought boys into the sport and kept them turning up at the tunnel each morning at 6.45am.
Tennis
The Terrace Tennis boys have worked extremely hard over the preseason, including the holiday period, in the performance area of the program. Students have the luxury of involvement in the Lifetime Tennis commercial program throughout Term 1 before the official preseason begins late in Term 1. We saw 30 boys in a High-Performance Camp in Caloundra during the Easter holidays. The time on the court has been a challenging experience. The time on task, approximately 5 hours a day, has put them in an excellent place for the GPS Tennis season. The coaches provided everyone with feedback, live and appropriate, on the technical aspects of the game and the effort areas. The boys will have been outside their comfort zone, without question, and although at times proved to be difficult, we are confident that they will grow from the experience.
The program has built on these experiences, with our Development program continuing each Wednesday and Friday morning at the Queensland Tennis Centre at Tennyson, with each of the Senior School A squad members training together in a vertical system that shows a vital pathway should students have a desire to want to improve further.
The clinics throughout both weeks of the holiday program were sold out, highlighting the strong desire for Tennis within the college. Our tennis partner, Lifetime Tennis, provided highly qualified coaches for these programs. Like any skilled sport, the more time boys can have hitting the ball, the better.
As we head into the season's third round, we have seen many highly competitive matches and our students working hard. As with Tennis, there are no easy rounds within the GPS, which is why GPS sport is so popular. Terrace split the overall results for the first two rounds of competition, defeating The Southport School and being defeated by Anglican Church Grammar School. Our 1st IV is currently 1 win and 1 loss, sitting mid-table.
Rugby
Easter Holiday Clinics and Camps
The preseason is well underway, with 50 enthusiastic boys heading to Sunshine Coast to participate in a three-day 1st XV Rugby Squad training camp. The camp's purpose was to revisit the basics of rugby and set up our training habits leading into Term 2. It was also an ideal time for the coaching and playing group to unite. I would like to thank all the coaches who kindly gave up their time.
The Easter Holiday Clinics held at Tennyson also saw the commencement of our Term 2, U12 – U16 Red & Black program. This well-planned program is designed for all boys wanting to develop their rugby skills. It's not too late to sign up, so please see Mr Mandrusiak in the Sports Office if you would like to be part of the program.
Term 2 Preseason Program
Well done to all players who have been regularly attending preseason training. Although the first three weeks have been interrupted by public holidays and other school activities it is still pleasing to see the progression of all players. Please note the below as we head into our practice games in the coming weeks.
- Boys regularly attending training will be given game time ahead of those who have not.
- With so many boys involved in our U12, U13 and U14 Term 2 program, boys will be rotated through the three practice games.
- Games will be scheduled later in the day to avoid clashes with Football and Tennis commitments.
Term 2 Key Rugby Dates Looking Ahead
- Saturday 18 May 1st XV practice game v IGS & BGS (at Tennyson)
- Saturday 25 May 1st XV, 2nd XV and U12A/B – U16A/B v TGS (H/A)
- Saturday 1 June 1st XV, 2nd XV and U12A/B – U16A/B v BBC (H/A)
- Saturday 8 June 1st XV, 2nd XV and U12A/B – U16A/B v BSHS (H/A)
- Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 July - Holiday Clinics at Tennyson
Basketball
The preseason preparations for the 2024 GPS Basketball for Terrace Basketball got underway over the Easter Holidays and have continued over the opening weeks of Term 2. So far, there have been 236 students engaging in various programs, which is an excellent sign of the sport's popularity at Terrace and the strength and depth in each age group. Basketball continues to grow from strength to strength as a high-performance sport at Terrace, focusing on inclusivity, sportsmanship and enjoyment.
1st V Squad 2024
The 2024 1st V squad have worked solidly since early April, diligently and meticulously preparing for this season's highly competitive GPS competition. Under the guidance of Head Coach Mr Matt Hamilton-Smith and his assistants Mr Rodger Smith and Mr Henry Mahoney, this group has defined their identity to build upon their strong 2023 season, which saw the group finishing 4th. The squad was formed following a highly competitive trial process, and while some players are returning from last year's group, highlighted by three-year players Logan Siolo and Corey Laffan, the new players in the squad have already injected some energy and class into the team. The squad undertook a 3-day camp to kick off their preparations over the break, and the playing and coaching staff are excited about where the team is placed as they continue their preparation ahead of the GPS Season.
A-B Training Program
Acting as a lead into the GPS Season, the A-B Program is run by the A team coaches of each year level in line with the Terrace Basketball High-Performance Curriculum. These sessions have created excellent competition for spots in our A-B teams, and it's been a positive sign to see the students engage in these sessions with great intensity and camaraderie. Over the holiday break, select members of the Years 7-10 age group participated in a high-performance training camp to introduce structures and processes required to be 1st V standard players in the future.
Development Program
The Development Program is a skills development-based program for those students not looking to try for an A-B team, but still wishing to upskill in the Term 2 preseason from our participation program. These sessions focus on ball handling, footwork and agility, shooting, passing spacing and defence – key elements for success in GPS Basketball at all levels. This group must be commended for their positive attitude and commitment to sessions during Term 2, and it has been encouraging to see improvement in their skills.
Brothers Basketball
Proving great preseason gameplay opportunities, the Brothers Basketball program is a mixed-competition competitive game in an enjoyable environment, allowing students and coaches to build upon the skills learnt in the Terrace training program and applying these in a game environment. Brothers Basketball continues into Term 3 for the 11 teams competing in this year's fixtures.
Finally, thanks to our coaching staff for their effort and energy across Term 2 in preparing the students for the GPS Season. We are very fortunate to have a group of knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate coaches comprised of former and current NBL players/coaches, current staff, and Old Boys who are mentoring the students.
Football
The Easter holiday saw the Football program begin to build and prepare for Term 2 GPS Season. Across the holidays, four staff from AFC Bournemouth came to run clinics for our current students and those enrolled for 2025. The clinics were a huge success, with over 200 boys attending.
We also had the EREA Tournament at Nudgee College for all Edmund Rice Schools across Australia. This Tournament is a great way to have the teams participate in a competitive environment before the season. Our Grade 5s had an excellent start to life as a Terrace Footballer, winning the Tournament while Years 8 and 10 crashed out in the semi-finals.
We are now into the thick of the GPS Season, and a huge thank you to all those boys, parents and caregivers who have ensured boys are on time for training and games. With over 730 boys taking to the field each week across 49 teams, it is a huge testament to everyone's commitment.
We have faced TSS, ACGS and BGS with plenty of success, passion, and mateship across the grounds. We wish everyone continued success as they head into the back half of the season.
Lastly, our First XI have fallen short in the season's first three games. A draw to TSS and a narrow loss to ACGS and BGS have seen the boys pick up just 1 point from 3 games. The team has been hit with injuries, with none other than Captain Eddie Ince Rupturing his ACL in Round 1. The setback and challenges have made this campaign difficult; however, we cannot fault the application and commitment of these gentlemen and the staff behind the scenes.