GPS FOOTBALL 2025
Welcome
This year we anticipate limited changes to the tournament structure apart from the concession to play teams at their ability level. This concession will allow schools with smaller numbers to place their participants in playing grades matching their actual ability levels. This may see some teams playing down a grade to give boys a more realistic competition for their performance level.
Parents who are new to the school and GPS competition should note that Term 1 will see boys commence pre-season training from Week 6. Prior to this, boys will have signed up to play and should have attended Football trials. Some teams are fortunate to play pre-season friendlies whilst C / D Teams go straight into the competition in Week 1 of Term 2. All boys are eligible to attend pre-season training from week 6 and should do so if they aspire to be selected in A/B squads assuming they have no clash with Volleyball or Cricket.
The GPS competition runs for the whole of Term 2, with the school playing four home and four away GPS fixtures. Of significance for Term 2 Football is that the final fixture of the season is played on Friday, 20 June at home against Ipswich Grammar School. It is anticipated that all A/B/C teams will play on this day. Boarders should plan to leave after this fixture.
Pre-Season Training
Pre-season will commence for the First XI Squad on Week 2 of Term 1 with gym and field work. The potential First Squad will commence field sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and afternoons with a gym session on Wednesday morning. The squad will be trimmed during Term 1 once Mr Mulvey identifies his core group of players.
All identified Junior Development players (Years 7 to 9) and Emerging players (Year 10 to 11) will commence gym work on Thursday mornings from 6:30am to 7:30am in Trenerry Gym.
Pre-season for all available boys commences in Week 6 (Tuesday, 4 March) on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 5:00pm to 6:15pm. Boys aspiring to play in A or B teams should make themselves available for this training providing it does not clash with cricket or volleyball.
This shift to late afternoons in Term 1 is a meaningful change in our previous delivery model which called upon boys to attend training early in the morning. Feedback from players and parents has been that early morning training is a burden and thus we will for this year, trial an after 5:00pm model.
Please note that in season sports (volleyball/cricket) have priority and boys should attend football after their commitment to volleyball or cricket. It is anticipated that we will endure some teething problems, but we remain confident that this will be more acceptable model for families and boys.
Wet Weather & Training
Training and games will proceed as scheduled unless officially cancelled via the school app. Cancellation notices will be sent out promptly if conditions are deemed too dangerous for play or training. Training will still take place in light rain or on wet fields, as our school fields are not council-maintained and remain open at the school’s discretion. In the event of a thunderstorm with lightning, training will be immediately postponed and may be cancelled.
To ensure you receive app notifications relevant to football, please go to Settings in the TGS App, select Subscriptions, select Sports & Activities and select Football. This will tailor notifications to the sports your son is involved in.
Football Trials, Grading and Selections
This year we will hold trials for Years 5 to 7 on Friday, 14 February from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. This is the first step in the selection and grading process. Selections at TGS are merit based on football ability, performance, attendance, desire, and attitude. Boys must commit to the process and earn the right to play at their ability level.
Boys in Years 8 to 11 will attend trials on Friday, 21 February from 3:30pm – 5:00pm.
Step 2 of selections will see boys perform at pre-season training and during trial matches.
Step 3 will include performances during school holiday clinics; tournaments, the pre-season training camp and Week 1 of Term 2. Week 1 teams undoubtedly see some boys not landing where they think they are in the football pyramid. It is normal to be elated or disappointed at this point, but this is just the beginning of the season and boys have time to make a team at a higher level.
Boys and parents are requested to commit to the selection process and be assured that all boys will find their performance level quickly even where a selection error may have occurred.
Coaches will assess a player’s current skill level including their first touch, passing and receiving, striking the ball and individual ball mastery in 1 v 1 situations. Boys will also be assessed on their ability to control the ball with their head, chest and thigh. Players are encouraged to consistently improve their technique, speed and fitness throughout the season.
Goalkeepers will be selected on their athletic ability as well as their courage and technical application as the last line of defence.
Boys will be graded against their peers and selected into teams matching their observed and assessed footballing ability.
Be assured that any selection errors will quickly be ironed out during training and games. Coaches are briefed to ensure that boys are placed in the right team and movement between ability groups is to be expected.