Club History

GPS Rugby is one of the oldest clubs in Queensland, tracing its origin back to 1887 when it was founded as Past Grammar Students.

According to noted rugby historian Ian Diehm in his book Red! Red! Red!, the club reformed along with other clubs after the devastation of World War I, eventually becoming Greater Public Schools Old Boys in 1931 following a constitutional change that expanded its membership beyond Brisbane Grammar School alumni. Since its inception, the club has had various homes, including The Normanby Grounds, New Farm Park, Finsbury Park, and, since 1977, the Ashgrove Sports Ground.

Past Grammar enjoyed early success, winning premierships in 1892, 1898, 1899, and 1914. However, it was not until 1961 that the club, now GPS Old Boys, claimed another premiership under the guidance of Bob Templeton, a former GPS player and later a Queensland and Australian coach. GPS went on to win another premiership in 1972, and in 1996, they triumphed once more, defeating Souths 12-6 in a dramatic upset with Souths fielding 11 Wallabies. GPS’s most recent Premier Grade premiership came in 2018, led by Michael Richards and coached by former player and Reds representative Anthony Mathison.

The Ashgrove Districts Juniors club was formed in 1968, playing on the Marist College flats and wearing maroon jerseys with an emu emblem. In 1977, a closer relationship formed when GPS Old Boys moved into Ashgrove, which was formalised in 1983 with an agreement for GPS to 'foster' the Ashgrove juniors. The juniors’ name changed to Ashgrove-GPS, adopting the blue and green hoops of the senior club. The Ashgrove-GPS club produced notable future Wallabies, including John Eales and the Herbert Brothers.

In 2014, the two clubs officially merged to form GPS Rugby Club Inc., creating Australia’s largest rugby club, with over 1,500 players proudly donning the ‘Gallopers’ colours each weekend. The merger provided numerous benefits, chief among them a streamlined pathway for junior players to progress into the senior club, Premier Grade, and beyond.

The club’s legacy is highlighted by its production of 50 Wallabies, as well as several Australian Sevens, Scotland, Fijian, and Tongan internationals, all of whom proudly represent GPS Rugby’s storied tradition on the global stage. GPS has also produced over 200 QLD Representatives.