JPSSA Winter Wrap Up

JPSSA Australian Rules Football Wrap Up

Our JPSSA football program started the year with fantastic numbers and continued to grow as the season progressed. With some new coaches coming on board to work alongside our Prep Sport staff, we saw outstanding engagement from both students and coaches throughout the year.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the season was seeing the students learn to understand and follow a game plan that aligns with the way football is played in our Senior School. As the season progressed, clear patterns began to emerge in the way the students played, with an increasing understanding of our style of play and the roles they had within it. Their ability to listen, learn and apply what they were being taught became more evident each week, and it was fantastic to see their commitment translating into their football.

The students’ commitment to improving, listening, and applying what they were learning became increasingly evident in our JPSSA matches as the season went on. The group became more competitive, developed into a tough team to play against, and showed a genuine enjoyment of the contest, while also embracing different roles and new positions with great enthusiasm. Most importantly, there were plenty of smiles and a real sense of enjoyment and engagement from the students throughout the program.

It was also wonderful to see our boys and girls sharing their love of the game and being fully integrated within the program. The growing number of girls participating is particularly exciting for the future of our girls’ football program, with some serious talent emerging throughout the group. The investment and enthusiasm shown by both our boys and girls gives us plenty to be excited about moving forward.

There was also a fantastic sense of community around the program. It was great to see parents supporting the students from the boundary on Thursday afternoons, clapping, smiling, and enjoying watching their children play and make the most of the incredible facilities Guildford has to offer.

The future is bright for Guildford football, and it was a privilege to see the improvement, engagement and enjoyment this group brought to the program throughout the year. A huge thank you again to everyone who helped make it such a positive and rewarding season.

Head of Football – Brent McPherson

JPSSA Hockey Wrap Up

What an incredible hockey season it has been for our GGS Prep School Hockey Squad!

As Head of Hockey, I could not be prouder of the whole squad. Every player has been fantastic and an absolute pleasure to coach. Throughout the season, we have seen such wonderful improvement in both hockey skills and game knowledge, and it has been fantastic to watch the players grow in confidence and develop as a team.

A special mention must go to our Year 6 players, who showed tremendous maturity in their communication and leadership throughout the season. They were wonderful role models for our Year 5 players and did a fantastic job supporting and encouraging them both on and off the field.

We were also incredibly fortunate to work collaboratively with other schools throughout the season to ensure that games could be played and that our players had as many opportunities as possible to enjoy their hockey. These experiences have created some wonderful memories and helped our squad continue to develop.

We won some, we lost some, but most importantly, we had so much fun along the way! There was plenty of laughter, encouragement, teamwork and determination every time we stepped onto the field.

A very special shout-out goes to my wonderful coaching team and our amazing Team Manager, Mrs Teuchert. Thank you for being our number one support crew, for giving your time so generously, and of course, for keeping everyone fuelled with those much-loved half-time oranges! 

Thank you to everyone involved in making this season such a success. A special mention to Ms. Del Pup, who makes everything possible for us. Huge thank you! Our GGS coaches, team manager, players, families and supporters have all played an important part. The kindness, encouragement and commitment shown throughout the season have been truly appreciated.

To the entire GGS Prep Hockey Squad — congratulations! You have worked hard, supported one another, embraced every challenge and made this season one to remember.

I am incredibly proud of every single one of you and all that you have achieved.

Well done, GGS Prep Hockey Squad! What a season! 

Head of Hockey – Fay Nash

JPSSA Soccer Wrap Up

The Prep Soccer groups enjoyed a fantastic season, with teamwork, commitment and a genuine desire to improve standing out as some of the defining qualities of the program.

Despite the cold early mornings, attendance at training was excellent throughout the season, with students consistently demonstrating a willingness to learn and a determination to improve. Training sessions focused on developing the fundamental skills of the game through a range of engaging and enjoyable practices, and it was fantastic to see the progress made by the students as the season progressed.

That improvement was particularly evident in our fixtures, where the students approached each game with a positive attitude and a willingness to put into practice what they had been learning at training. Regardless of the scoreline, the players continued to work hard and support one another, never giving up and consistently demonstrating excellent sportsmanship in both victory and defeat.

A key focus of the Prep Soccer program is not only developing football skills, but also building confidence, encouraging enjoyment of the game and teaching students the importance of working together as a team. Throughout the season, the students demonstrated these qualities on many occasions, showing how much they had developed both as players and as teammates.

The program has provided our students with a strong foundation to build upon as they progress through Prep and into Senior School. More importantly, they have developed an understanding and enjoyment of the game that will hopefully encourage them to continue their football journey and further develop their skills in the years ahead.

A huge thank you to all of our students for their commitment and enthusiasm throughout the season, and to our coaches for creating a positive and enjoyable environment in which the players could learn, develop and enjoy their soccer.

Head of Soccer – Jim Dean

JPSSA Rugby Wrap Up

The GGS Prep Rugby Team has had an amazing season full of growth, fun, hard work and learning.

Whilst results weren’t always in our favour, the development and enjoyment seen from the players has been a pleasure to watch. With almost the entire squad trying their hand at rugby for the first time, the effort and tenacity shown each game was admirable. Putting forward their best effort and improving week to week through consistent attendance at training and matches, which was reflected in the improved results toward the latter end of the season.

The players showed determination throughout the season, consistently attending morning trainings despite the chill and at time adverse conditions.

Each training session is aimed at building the fundamental skills involved in the game and developing enjoyment and game recognition skills through gameplay-based drills. Paramount importance is also placed on key contact skills to ensure players are playing the game safely and building their confidence and body awareness in contact situations often faced in the game.

Players benefited greatly from participated in the first ever Guildford Grammar Rugby Open Clinic, hosted on the main field over the term 2 holiday period. The Clinic is open to all local rugby clubs, students of the school and anyone interested in attending. The clinic was aimed at improving fundamental skills of the game, building game understanding and increasing Guildford Grammar Rugby’s exposure in our local rugby community.

Players were also invited to participate in holiday training alongside our senior playing group, developing a connection with our older players who assisted in mentoring the next generation of Guildford Rugby talent. This also assists with the transition in to senior school for many of the players, creating some strong bonds amongst the Rugby Program and friends for life.

Overall, the renewal of the Guildford Grammar Prep Rugby team has helped breathed new life into a rebuilding program Rugby is about creating friendships through shared experiences on and off the field and building skills applicable to life such as resilience, discipline and problem solving which this group have all shown in abundance, the future is certainly bright for Guildford Grammar Rugby.

A huge credit must go to coaches Mark Douglas and Charlie Ford, as well as George Stephens and Aidan McCrum who stepped in to assist where needed. Their stewardship created an excellent environment for the players to develop their skills and find enjoyment for the game.

Head of Rugby – Sam Thornley