Rugby Master in Charge: Mr Jason Reilly Captain: Harry Fleming
This year in Senior School Rugby proved to be very successful, with CGS fielding 8 teams and 5 of these teams making the semi-finals and a further 3 teams making the Grand Final. The results of the finals include. The 15A’s Div 1 loss to St Edmunds 58-13, whilst the 16B’s Div 3 won 23-19 against Vikings. The 1st XV won against St. Edmunds 35-33. This is first time in a very long time, about 53 years that the 1st XV has triumphed in the ACTJRU U18 Competition. The Success of the CGS Rugby Program can be put down to several new aspects to the Rugby Club over the past few seasons. Firstly the continuation of the CGS Summer Weights Program which saw over 70 students predominately, rugby players participate in the offseason strength and fitness training. This program saw increase across the board in strength, size, and aerobic capacity. This programme also saw the introduction of the cross fit session on Friday mornings which produced vomit, blood sweat and tears. It also provides the team with ‘training and development’ on power movements and correction of lifting techniques.
The Canberran 2012
Secondly the success of the rugby community was a result of the increase in games and volume of pre-season training. This saw the entire CGS rugby community participate in games against All Saints Bathurst, Kinross Wallori, Downlands College QLD, Daramalan, and Vikings. In addition, the senior squad’s involvement in the CGS invitational 10s Tournament and the Scots College Sydney Investec Sevens. The shortened form of the game helped all players to focus on the core skills of rugby creating good improvement in skills which lead to the success of the club this year. The preseason saw all the senior school teams play many games allowing us to work on skills tactics and fitness before the start of the season.
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This lead to the opens and under 16s teams into the pre season tour of New Zealand, which saw the team visit Auckland, Christchurch, Rotorua and Queenstown. This allowed the teams to participate in three brutal and physical games. Whilst having the experiences of having a home stay with New Zealand families: Highlights included watching a super rugby game,
visiting Rotorua and staying in a traditional Maori guest house and spending three days in Queenstown. The tour was a great experience for all involved and lead to the senior rugby community binding together, which I think was a major factor in the success of the opens rugby program this year. The rugby program will continue to see the rewards of the tour in years to come. We must thank Mr Barrett and Mr Booth (Sarge) for the hard work in putting together the tour. The season started with four home Gala Days, with the first game against Marist. The Gala days could not have happened without the long and tireless efforts of two Individuals of the CGS Rugby Association community, Judy Turbayne and Greg Pickering. These two individuals have been at the helm of the CGS van and BBQ for the past few seasons. Although many CGS Rugby Teams struggled throughout the year, it is essential that we as a community stick at it. I think with the improving summer weights programs and the improvements in the preseason Calendar, in years to come Grammar rugby has something to prove to the ACT Junior Rugby Union Competition in all levels and grades. In addition the Rugby Club also saw the continuation of the Annual Father & Son Breakfast with our guest speaker and father Paul Narracott giving a speech on his experience in the Olympics both summer and winter, which provided the open teams with background on what it takes to reach your dreams, in addition how to handle the disappointments of sport. This year also saw the first year in which the Opens rugby competed in the Waratah Shield. The team travelled to Sydney to vs. Homebush Boys High and left with a victory. To later vs. St Augustine’s to go down on the CGS Main Oval. St Augustine’s College went on to win the Waratah Shield in 2012 against Oakhill College.
Thank You We must thank the CGS Rugby Association; lead by President Mr Peter Doherty for their hard work and financial contributions to making the CGS rugby community thrive this year. Thanks also to Dr Bruce Faraday for his efforts as CGS Coaching Director and Publicity Officer. Doc’s effort and skill behind each