Sport

Exceptionally exciting news for our football community as we edge towards closing out the 2024 GPS premiership and celebrate a tremendously successful whole programme season. We look forward to seeing the strong blue and grey support this week at home as we take on The Southport School.

After another exciting GPS round seven last weekend, we invite everyone to see the weekend’s results summary via myChurchie – GPS Sports and Activities.

Football

Saturday’s round seven against Ipswich Grammar was a fantastic day of football. We recorded 15 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses. A further 11 supplementary games were played, recording 5 wins, 4 draws and 4 losses.

The First XI made it seven wins from seven rounds with a very hard-fought 3–1 win against IGS, a team that had not lost at home in close to three years. The win secured Churchie’s second-ever GPS Football premiership.

The first half was a real arm wrestle with neither side conceding an inch. There were many physical challenges with both sets of boys putting their bodies on the line. It was a very competitive and physical affair with neither side creating many clear-cut chances.

Midway through the second half, the Brisbane Roar Quinn MacNicol and Lucas Herrington combination was the difference, with the duo combining for the first two goals. Quinn chipped in a delightful ball which Lucas converted with a clinical header. A few minutes later, from another set piece, Quinn put in another cross which was fumbled by the IGS keeper (who was impressive throughout the game). Lucas was quickest to the second ball, kicking it into the empty net. Both players showed their qualities in a tough match with Lucas Herrington dominating the aerial duels in attack and defence and Quinn MacNicol being dangerous every time he touched the ball in open play and set pieces.

Both fullbacks, Max Slaughter and Ethan Castle had very good games in defence and their determination and work rate helped Churchie to secure the win. Levi Collins secured the third after following in a shot on the edge of the box from Veivers Brown.

A win or a draw against The Southport School (TSS) would mean an outright premiership for Churchie. The next game on Saturday 8 June against the third-placed TSS will be significant. Let’s get behind the boys and get over 1,000 spectators.  It’s a game not to be missed.

Below are a few of the many examples of boys living by the Churchie Football values of integrity, discipline and determination in Round 6.

Integrity: George Samios (11A) let the referee know that the ball went into our goal through the broken net after the referee signalled for a goal. Great sportsmanship from George.

Discipline: Harry Love (10A) has been injured all season yet has come to every single game to support his teammates, including Ipswich this weekend.

Determination: Harry Bell (7D) had to play goalie in the absence of Tom and showed great resilience to step in late, put in a solid performance and get a clean sheet.

Prep School Man of the Matches:

Tomas Gazzard (6B) for his continual display of teamwork and effort throughout the entire match. Tomas continually works hard to ensure his teammates have multiple opportunities to score without any recognition.

Elliot Batstone (5B) for his defensive and offensive running up and down the pitch. Elliot worked tirelessly to provide support and options for his teammates, which led to another fantastic win.

I look forward to seeing everyone for the last game of the 2024 GPS Football Season. Once the football is finished, we will have the annual Football Awards Function at Morris Hall from 4 to 5 pm. If you haven’t had a chance to register, please do so at your earliest convenience.

Alex Rados
Director of Football

Gymnastics

Our sole competitor in the GPS gymnastics competition, Harry Makridakis (Year 11), competed in division one against athletes from Brisbane Grammar School, Gregory Terrace, The Southport School, Brisbane Boys’ College and Brisbane State High School. Harry placed third overall in the individual competition. Well done, Harry.

Tennis

Round seven against Ipswich Grammar was not supposed to happen due to rain threatening to ruin another Saturday of GPS tennis. Thankfully, for most of our teams, their matches were played and completed before the rain hit Ipswich. We played IGS in 22 matches, we had 5 supplementary games and our Year 9D and E boys played an internal battle. The day was incredibly positive with only one loss to a team that was hurt with sickness to two players. While two boys stepped up and did a great job, the end result went the other way.

Our Year 9 boys had to wait and the late start stopped them from getting most of their sets in, but they were given victory by IGS as Churchie was a long way in front.

The First IV had completed their four doubles matches with the rubbers at two all when rain stopped them for the day.

Round eight is our last match of the season and we are up against The Southport School (TSS). Our Years 5 to 8 will be travelling to the coast while our older boys will stay at home. All of our teams, barring the 9E and 5D, will play this Saturday.

Please take the chance this weekend to thank the coaches and Age Group Coordinators for all of their hard work throughout the season. The program cannot run with the aid of the people in these roles.

Ian Malpass
Director of Tennis

Sporting achievements

Congratulations to the following students for their success in the following sporting pursuits:

Basketball

Connor Davidson and Jake Miles-Wrency represented Met East in the Queensland Championships and were selected in the Queensland School Sport Representative 17 to 19 years boys merit team.

Cricket

First XI Cricketer Daniel Desmet has been selected for the Queensland under 15 team for the School Sport Australia National Under 15s Championships, which will be held in Mackay in September. 

First XI Cricketer Alex Walduck has been selected for the Queensland Under 17s Development Squad for the upcoming 2024/25 season. 

Hockey

Riley Wondergem represented Metropolitan East in the 16 to 19 years State Hockey Championships in Rockhampton in May. They finished as runners-up with a silver medal. Riley was named in the Queensland 16 to 19 years merit team.

Riley also represented Brisbane in the U18 Queensland Men’s Hockey Championships in Rockhampton in late April, placing fourth overall. Riley was successful in gaining selection to represent Queensland at the upcoming U18 National Titles at the Gold Coast in July.

Trent Goodrick
Head of Cocurricular