St Joseph's Nudgee College

May 4, 2011

The 2011 GPS Rugby and Football seasons kick off this Saturday with St Joseph’s Nudgee College hosting Churchie in the first round.

“The winter sports season is a much-anticipated time in the life of Nudgee College and gives boys the opportunity to develop sportsmanship, discipline, goal setting and teamwork,” said Director of Activities Mr Mark Ensor.

“The 2011 season will always be remembered in the GPS circle as the last year rugby and football played in the same season together with football to be played in Term 2 and rugby in Term 3 from 2012.”

2010 was a successful one for both rugby and football at Nudgee College and Mr Ensor is looking forward to another exciting year.

“This year our 1st XV will be eyeing off back to back premierships, a feat not achieved at Nudgee College since 1997-98,” he said.

Director of Rugby and 1st XI Coach Mr Anthony Connellan is confident the season will be a success for the entire rugby program with 43 teams competing in the CIC and GPS competitions and 75 coaches.

“In 2010 Nudgee College Rugby had a very successful season in the GPS competition, with 31 teams and 58 coaches involved week to week,” he said.

“Nudgee College contested 157 GPS games with an impressive record of 140 wins, a draw and only 16 losses. The College won its 38th 1st XV Premiership and 18 teams finished the season undefeated.

“Our student referee programme saw 16 students complete the ARU Smart Rugby course with 12 students going on to successfully sit the Level 1 Referee exam. Eight students actively refereed games throughout the season and passed the level 1 practical safety assessment.”

Although they didn’t win the premiership in 2010, the Nudgee College Football community also had a successful GPS season with 12 teams from Years 8-12.

“The 2010 season was blessed with the inclusion of the “World Cup” in South Africa that energised the football community and formed a background to many of the events organised during the season,” said Director of Football Mr Paul Edwards.

“Our traditional launch dinner for the 1st XI was again held at the Sofitel, where we were fortunate to be addressed by Craig Moore, Socceroo legend, and a 2006 and 2010 World Cup squad member, along with Stuart McLaren, North Queensland Fury Assistant Coach. At times during the season we hosted the Brisbane Roar Football in the Community team as well as Chelsea FC coaches at the development camp.

“The success of Nudgee College’s season was due in part to the wonderful group of past and present students who are qualified referees. Each week these young men gave up their time to either referee a game and/or run a line. In some cases these young men would referee a game, run a line and then play their own game,” he said.

Mr Ensor is confident this success will be repeated in 2011 thanks to a young 1st XI squad and good trial form.

“The 1st XI will field a young team in 2011 with the majority of boys in Year 11 or below, and even one boy (Zack Coulson) in Year 9. While they are young they have shown a lot of determination and enthusiasm in their preseason games and I am expecting another successful football season,” he said. 

“I thank Mercedes Benz Brisbane (rugby) and Domino's Pizza (football) as our 2011 major sponsors and I wish all players, coaches and referees a successful season.”

2011 GPS Home Games:

May 7 - Round 1 v Churchie

May 28 - Round 4 v GT (Old Boys Reunion Weekend)

June 11 - Round 6 v TGS

July 30 - Round 9 v BBC