NSW AAGPS 2019
- Thread starter SonnyDillWilliams
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RuggerFan1
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Can some detail too me the reasons for Grammars sporting downfall?
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
End of 2019 I believe.
This is the table they focus on now.
In my days, Grammar had athletes and academics as wanted by Mackerras.
Now it is academics focused. This started when Dr Townsend took over in 1989
Black & White
Vay Wilson (31)
Inside Shoulder if he still visits this site, can provide a personal insight from the late seventies, when the first cracks probably emerged.
But I can provide something as well. The former Headmaster, Alistair Mackerras, of the 1970s and 1980s was Anti-Sport and Anti-Rugby in particular. He said in the mid 1980s, that Rugby was a rugpant game and as such did his best to pull the game down at the school. His supporters would claim that academic inclined boys, don't play Rugby. Clearly, they never heard of Sydney University Rugby Club or any other University Rugby Club. Another one was the apparent laziness of its teachers in the area of their commitment to sport. I know from personal experience, from the country school I was teaching at that time we were advised "don't waste your time contacting Grammar about arranging a sporting fixture. They were hopeless, didn't care and weren't not interested.
This trend continued into the 1990s with Ralph Townsend, a individual who was ill-suited to lead and manage a Sydney GPS school. Yes, a Academic, but by all accounts a poor educational professional who knew little about effective teaching and learning.He also had a poor rapport with his teachers and they after 5 years the teachers voted a no confidence motion in his leadership. He too showed no support for Rugby and the decline continued. In 1999, Grammar had to burrow Props from TAS because despite having 1100 boys at the school they couldn't raise the players.
The tragedy is this trend has been emerging in other schools, lazy teachers not committed to sport, teachers with no background to the ethos of an independent boys school.
Hence, I encourage those of you who are influential Old Boys, to set specific requirements that teachers coaching Rugby should be given preferential treatment in their selection to your school's staff. Provided they are also good classroom teachers.
Quick Hands
David Wilson (68)
Most Grammar old boys will confirm that view of Mackerras.
I can also confirm that Grammar won the Intermediate Swimming at the GPS carnival this year, but almost everyone from Grammar had already left and the boys who had just swum in the All-Age Relay (last event) who were apparently the only ones still at the pool had to hastily run down and accept the trophy.
Quick Hands
David Wilson (68)
This is the table they focus on now.
In my days, Grammar had athletes and academics as wanted by Mackerras.
Now it is academics focused. This started when Dr Townsend took over in 1989
Don't think Mackerras wanted athletes. Inside Shoulder has previously posted comments that Mackerras made about sport in general and rugby in particular.
Sad that the first two schools on that list won the Waratah Shield (when it was a statewide knockout in which many state schools competed), but now neither even have a rugby team. But I digress.
And yes, they were academically selective when they won the Waratah Shield.
Happy to be educated on this. Thank you for clarifying.
Balmain Subbies
Billy Sheehan (19)
Alright gentleman, seeing as there is a bit of time to fill before next season, I would love to know your thoughts on the 10 best GPS champion teams for all time. I have mine below and I'm am going off what I have seen from the early nineties and heard along the way. I am sure you will all have different views (especially Joker) but it's a good way to fill the time. My list is only for outright Champions.
1) 1991 Joeys
2) 2014 Scots
3) 2002 Kings
4) 1993 Scots
5) 1996 Riverview
6) 1995 Joeys
7) 2010 Newington
8) 1997 Kings
9) 1973 High
10) 1981 Joeys
1) 1991 Joeys
2) 2014 Scots
3) 2002 Kings
4) 1993 Scots
5) 1996 Riverview
6) 1995 Joeys
7) 2010 Newington
8) 1997 Kings
9) 1973 High
10) 1981 Joeys
Black & White
Vay Wilson (31)
The 1990 Joeys side wouldn't out of place somewhere in this group. In this team, If my memory serves me correctly not a try was scored against them. I believe Br Bede was given a Joeys 1st XV jersey from this team, with a Zero on its back. Testifying to his skill as a defensive coach. The team included Matt Burke.
Balmain Subbies
Billy Sheehan (19)
Good to know. I thought that was the 1991 side with Burke, Kennedy, Junee & Jorgasen. Hence why I put them in 1st, but if it was 1990 then I change it!
Balmain Subbies
Billy Sheehan (19)
Often spoken about by the older heads as the greatest ever was..Sydney Boys High School team of 1963.
Smacked everyone.
Wallabies from this team.
Jim Miller
John Brass
Alan Gaffney
Phil Smith
Sorry I meant 1963 High for position 9. However Alan was a wallabies coach but never played for the wallabies.
Balmain Subbies
Billy Sheehan (19)
Black & White
Vay Wilson (31)
I was told when I was doing the level 1 Rugby Coaching course, that Br Bede would in coaching the 1990 Joeys team, as a defensive coach would get the boys to charge directly at him head on. Each time Br Bede would put the charging player flat on his rear. A remarkable feat considering the Brother was well into 70s.
Pretty sure it did not include Jim Miller as he attended Hawkesbury Ag College in the mid 1950's and played in the 1963 Wallabies team that toured SA.
I saw him do this first hand. He would preach technique in the tackle. If you didn't do it perfectly he would get his chow chow dogs to maul you! He was well known as a dog breeder as well.
Garry Owens
Alan Cameron (40)
Evening All
What was the Top 3 finish this year in Firsts ?
Who projects to be Top 3 next year ?
When does your trial season start ? Competition start ?
Thanks
GO
What was the Top 3 finish this year in Firsts ?
Who projects to be Top 3 next year ?
When does your trial season start ? Competition start ?
Thanks
GO
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