Terrace Sport in Term 4 | Mr Mitch Edwards
Welcome to Term 4 at Terrace. Our Sports programs are thriving as we dive into an exciting term focused on Track and Field, Cricket, Rowing and Volleyball.
We are gearing up for a dynamic season filled with growth, competition, and achievement across all our sporting endeavours. Thank you to all our coaches, staff, and supporters for their invaluable contributions to our athletes' success. Let’s finish the year strong and make this Term 4 a remarkable time of accomplishment and development in all our sports.
Track and Field
As the 2024 Track and Field Program approaches its conclusion, we are excited about the GPS Championship event on Friday 18 October. With 153 boys participating, our training sessions and Friday night events have enjoyed strong support from both students and parents. The program prioritises safety and structure, providing athletes with high-level coaching. We emphasise discipline, humility and hard work, enabling our boys to hone their skills and elevate their performance in their chosen events.
Our four Invitational meets during Term 3 were well-attended, with around 60 boys competing at each event. These meets provide a valuable opportunity for our athletes to test their skills against other schools and track their progress, serving as a key tool for team selections.
A special thank you goes to our coaching staff for their dedication during the holidays, with solid attendance from the boys in our holiday training program. This commitment will surely contribute to a successful GPS outcome.
With just three weeks in Term 4 leading up to the Championship event, our focus shifts to refining skills and performance. The hard work is behind our Terrace athletes, and they can now look forward to one final event this year. During our Track and Field Spirit Assembly on Wednesday 8 October Max Van Balen, our Track and Field Captain, inspired us by recalling past achievements, including:
- GPS Championships 2017 | Oscar Sullivan’s impressive javelin throw of over 65 metres for the win.
- GPS Championships 2021 | Oliver Casey-Ryan's remarkable leap from fourth to first place in the Opens 400m, alongside Griffin Kelly’s courageous 1500m victory.
- GPS Championships 2023 | Vincent Faulkner's remarkable triple win in the U14 100m, 200m, and 400m all within three hours.
These memories will undoubtedly inspire our athletes to excel this Friday. The coaching team are incredibly proud of the boys’ efforts throughout the season, and we eagerly anticipate seeing them compete.
Cricket
As we usher in the Australian summer, Terrace Cricket enters its 106th season of GPS competition, promising to be one of our finest yet. Every boy has the chance to make history as part of one of the largest and most prestigious schoolboy cricket programs in the state, benefitting from premier training facilities, exceptional coaching and a shared drive for success. Our Term 4 program boasts over 280 participants, including 130 incoming students in the ‘Beginning of the Baggy Black’ program. Highlights include the Powderfinger Cup, matches against Nudgee for the St Joseph’s College Cup, six specialist clinics, tours to Adelaide for Middle School and Senior cricketers, and more – ensuring our players are well-prepared for the 2025 GPS season.
Students choose cricket for various reasons – seeking performance, social interaction, or a blend of both. Our teams have consistently excelled, exemplified by the success of our 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B, 10B, and 11B teams. While competition for spots can be intense, this depth showcases the capabilities of all our players. Cricket fosters essential character traits such as teamwork, resilience, and a strong work ethic. Every player plays a significant role and the culture we have cultivated leads to competitive on-field performances. The program's highlight is not just the on-field success but the quality of the young gentlemen who emerge and contribute positively to society after their time at the College. Terrace Cricket works seamlessly with the academic side of College life, nurturing the Gentlemen of Terrace and ensuring they receive a balanced education.
During the recent holidays, we hosted matches against Rockhampton Grammar School, St Kentigerns Auckland, and MacLeans College Auckland, providing our students with invaluable experiences. We look forward to matches against St Peter’s College, Adelaide and touring teams from Perth over the summer. Please check the Key Dates Document on SPIRE for updates on our cricket activities.
Rowing
The Terrace Rowing program focuses on developing boys beyond the classroom, fostering both physical fitness and mental resilience. With a proud tradition of shaping the Gentlemen of Terrace, the program emphasises empowerment, self-discipline and organisation, all of which cultivate strong leadership skills.
As a Championship sport, Rowing offers a unique opportunity for all boys in Years 9 to 12 to compete in the Head of the River Championship at the end of the season. This creates a tight-knit community within the program, where rowers of all year levels and divisions support each other in pursuing a common goal.
Rowing is open to students in Years 7 to 12, starting in Week 1 of Term 4. Additionally, students in Years 5 and 6 can join as coxswains, allowing them to transition into rowing for Learn to Row in Year 7. This term, we have the biggest intake of this program to date, with over 80 students participating. This is an excellent way to gain a foundational understanding of the sport and develop their technical skills before taking up the oars.
Volleyball
Volleyball is in full swing this Term 4, featuring various programs across all year levels and skill sets. Our Learn to Play sessions have begun for the younger year levels, focusing on upskilling them as they undertake their second and third years of Volleyball in the program. The A-Program sessions are running for all Years 8-12 Volleyball players who aspire to play A-level and 1st V Volleyball now and into the future.
At the end of Term 4, we look forward to holiday camps taking place before Christmas, as well as the preparation and delivery of our Australian Volleyballs Schools Championship teams. During this tournament, our 1st VI, Year 10, and Year 9 teams will battle against the best in the nation.
With over 200 boys registered for pre-season Volleyball, the enthusiasm and energy promise a successful and enjoyable GPS season ahead.