I think that is a little harsh. I’ve been to a couple of games this year and I see it as pure passion, coaching staff that want their boys to win so soo bad. They ride the highs and lows, and yes sometimes it can see over the top. But to say it’s disgusting would suggest you don’t understand the passion.
Secondly, I’d add as a old boy and a parent at the college currently (not involved in 1st but previously had a nephew play 1st) and who has been involved in other GPS schools, I do think the school does have a problem with the program, but it goes deeper than the people involved in the program. I’d suggest that the school doesn’t value sport as they should. A school of 1500 boys in a town surrounded and known for sport, but they don’t value it. This is not to say there aren’t certain people in the school who do. I actually think that their are some people in the school who are really do see its value, but there’s only so much one or two people in each program can do. The school almost feels more like it’s set up as a participation model rather then playing to win until they get to opens. And I do agree theirs a place in also school for “participation” teams but if you are realistic the A’s and B’s teams in all grades need to be set up to win and the school should be supporting them in every single way to do it. At the moment kids get to opens level and then realise that the goal is actually to win, and then they realise that winning is tough. And if I’m being honest these kids tap out. It’s to tough for them. Small injuries become “big” injuries. And this is nothing against the boys, because this how the schools shaped them, not by any coaches fault but by the school not treating sport with the highest regards.
I know that changes have already occurred this year in the younger age groups surrounding rugby but this will probably take 3 to 4 years to take full affect. Hopefully when these kids (my kid) reaches the opens level they will be hardened. I do have high hopes for the eddies program in the future years. I also have high hopes that eddies will finally come to their senses that sport can mean a real lot to the boys and the culture. I hope that improvements to equipment at the school improves, that the gym is improved, a new hall is rebuilt, and hopefully one day the school will play sports like rugby and soccer out of their own facilities. How good would that be!!
I also think the school is missing out on the opportunity of attracting high quality rugby players to the school with the AIC now offering Rugby League. Like has been said the school does lose players to Ipswich high because of their rugby league program. Now I’m not saying eddies could match this program they have but there is a opportunity to create a rugby league academy at the school, pair up with a NRL or QCup team like Laurie’s have done. Develop relationships that see eddies rugby league players playing at a know league club and then players from that club are going to eddies, and then have coaches from that club help out at eddies. Before you know it you have a rugby league program.term I know they have a relationship with brothers leagues, but as far as I know nothing really comes from this relationship. Now I know this is league not union, but Ipswich is a league town so instead of trying to get these kids and parents of league kids to covert to union. Attract them in with a league program and then introduce them to union. League is massive in Ipswich and eddies are losing out. Union in Ipswich is all but gone. Ipswich rangers is going down hill and don’t look like improving. The old saying if you can’t beat them join them.
