GRAMMAR READY FOR NEW GPS CHALLENGE
ONE of Queensland’s premier school sporting competitions kicks off this weekend and Toowoomba Grammar school is ready for the challenge ahead.
The GPS competition features some of south east Queensland’s best sporting schools and has produced countless Australian stars in the past.
Ahead of their respective season starts this weekend The Chronicle has run the rule over Grammar’s rugby union and basketball teams.
Both squads will feature plenty of new faces this year with the top talent of last year having graduated.
Rugby
With a large number of last year’s talent-laden squad graduating, new coach Scott Gale holds the reins of new youthful side.
“One of the first things I said to the players when I joined in February was how this is an opportunity for us all the start with a clean slate,” Gale said.
“With the loss of those players who graduated it’s an opportunity for all our players to step up and earn their place in the squad.
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for me as the new coach – one I am very excited about.”
Gale, who joined from Nudgee College where he acted in a rugby consultancy role, is excited about the potential his team have shown to date.
The squad has been working hard in pre-season and has shown a willingness to learn.
“What I have seen since February is very typical of Toowoomba Grammar players,” he said.
“It’s harder getting them off the training field than it is getting them out there.
“We have lost a lot of players but this squad has a lot of potential and talent.
“We won’t be the biggest side this season but I think we’re more than capable in other areas.
“With the ball in hand we will be looking to run those bigger sides off their feet – play an exciting brand of attacking football.
“And in defence we will muscle up and work hard.”
Basketball
With seven of last year’s squad graduating, the TGS First V team has a young core – they however, are not compromising on their goals.
“The big goals are to go at least .500 (a 50-50 win, loss record) and do right by the senior players in our squad,” TGS head of basketball and First V coach Kabe Cicolini said.
“We went .500 in the pre-season and showed plenty of promise as well.
“We’re a very young side but the boys have been putting in the work and we have the capability to be very competitive.
“We’re looking forward to the challenges of the season ahead and playing a positive brand of basketball.”
For our player by player squad breakdowns head to thechronicle.com.au/sport