COVID-19 March 19 Update

The following information has been provided to the club from Rugby AU.

INFORMATION FOR THE GAME REGARDING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Date: Tuesday 10 March 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus and symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia and people may experience fever, flu-like symptoms or shortness of breath. In Australia, the people most at risk of getting the virus are those who have recently been in mainland China and Iran or have been in close contact with someone who is a confirmed case of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is increasingly impacting the global community and is a rapidly evolving issue. The Australian Government’s Department of Health are currently monitoring COVID-19 and providing advice that is regularly updated:
https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert

Rugby Australia strongly recommends that member unions, associations, clubs and participants follow the advice issued by of the Australian Government and any additional advice that is issued by their State or Territory Governments.

Additionally, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) are providing regular updates on their website: https://ais.gov.au/health-wellbeing/covid-19/_nocache#covid-19_and_sport_faq

The best way to prevent against the spread of infections such as COVID-19 is to practice good hygiene, including:
• regularly washing hands with soap and water;
• using a tissue and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing;
• avoiding close contact with others if you are unwell; and
• ensuring public spaces/equipment (such as club changing rooms and massage tables etc.) are regularly and thoroughly cleaned.

Clubs should also be ensuring that safe hygiene practices in relation to food handling are followed in kitchens and dining facilities.

There is a risk of transmission of infections in team sport environments, therefore any participant who is currently suffering from any flu-like symptoms or is feeling unwell, regardless of their recent travel, should refrain from playing/training and should seek medical advice.

Participants should also follow the advice and restrictions set out by the Department of Health relating to isolation following travel or contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases. Any participant who is subject to the outlined travel restrictions or has been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case should not attend training/matches or any other club activities for 14 days following travel or contact.

There is not currently any advice that recommends those in Australia refrain from attending sporting matches, however everyone is advised to stay up to date with the latest Department of Health advice.

Vale Bob Armstrong

GPS have lost another member of the 1972 Premiership side.

Robert David Horne Armstrong passed away on 26th January aged 74. His friends are invited to celebrate his life at the White Lady’s Chapel at 270 Kelvin Grove Road, Kelvin Grove and afterwards at GPS clubhouse on Friday 14th February at 10:30am.

Bob played for GPS between 1970 and 1979 playing 148 games including 68 First Grade. He scored 18 tries. in 1975 he served on the Committee and has been a regular supporter of GPS from the sidelines for many years.

Bob at the GPS Rugby Sportmans Lunch in 2018

New Commitee Members for 2020

JASON RAFT

My name is Jason Raft. Victorian AFL supporter by birth but Rugby Union fan by choice! My son has played at GPS since U6 and is heading into U16s in 2020.

During the 2019 season I undertook the role of age coordinator for the U15s. Working with a group of motivated coaches and parents we were able to build a positive program to reintegrate our entire year level from what was a dysfunctional model for some years previous. Our focus was to build a squad of engaged players that are looking to progress through to the senior levels of the club.

My major focus on the club committee would be to help build a transition process for the junior players into the senior teams. Since amalgamation of the junior and senior club there appears to be major gaps in the thinking around how we keep players connected to the club but also forming positive development programs for prospective coaches from the junior ranks. With junior numbers dropping we need to work on engagement plans for local state schools to increase our membership reach. To encourage new players to connect with us we need to show them a program that starts with u6 and travels all the way through to Prems. Our ability to thrive as a club into the future centres around our ability to grow our members and provide good rugby outcomes regardless of player status from novice to elite.

PAUL STONE

GPS has been a mainstay of our family life since we moved to Ashgrove in 2012 and like all great rugby clubs, it represents to me and the community so much more than what happens on the field.

Now is a pivotal time in the club’s history with the impending new development project about to be realised – I see it as a “call to arms” for all those members, like me, who’ve benefited from the club over the years, to rally efforts to bring this new vision for the site to life.

With my 30 years’ experience in business management, marketing, communications and PR, I’m looking forward to building on the success of the GPS’s brand, and in a small way help the game as a whole navigate this challenging period in its history. 

BEN WHITTEN

“I’d like to help GPS Rugby show the Australian Rugby community and political influencers that it is the best family club in Brisbane and Queensland, by setting and abiding by the highest principles of good management of our young women and men who choose to play and enjoy this great game. 

The point of distinction of Rugby to all other competitive codes must be the production of skilful, confident but humble players with self discipline in all aspects of life, the ability to fulfil the playing dreams of players of all shapes and sizes, a realistic emphasis on safety in the context of a contact sport, along with building impeccable role models for younger generations.

No matter what challenges the National or State organisations are having, by looking after our own members, opening the door to all those who demonstrate a commitment to rugby and personal excellence and to become a positive role model for all, will undoubtedly lead this great club to unprecedented levels of loyal membership.  

I’d like to be part of a team who can make it happen, and I hope my 30+ years of skills and experience across trades and professions will be of assistance.”

Jason, Paul and Ben will support current board members, Liza Hammond, Darren Dowse and Michael Taylor.

Cam King Cracks the 300 Club

Written by Abbey Hurney

To describe Cam King in one word, what comes to mind is ‘tough.’ After 28 years of commitment to the mighty GPS Gallopers Cam will step foot onto the field at Yoku Road this weekend to claim his 300th game at the club.

A passionate club man and asset to the GPS community, King is known by many. Having coached Cam since as early as 2005, Nick Fogarty shared one of fondest Rugby moments Cam,

“Tough. I remember back in 2006 Cam played in a third grade Grand Final against Sunnybank. Cam was dominant that day and led from the front. The side comprised of mostly colts and Cam really stood up against a much older and more experienced Sunnybank side.”

“Cam suffered a very heavy tackle early in the game and played on not missing a beat. After the match he ended up in the emergency ward at the RBH and the doctor in charge ordered him to stay the night for observations. Cam later checked himself out of the RBH to join his team mates at the Normanby still wearing his hospital gown.”

While having a family, running a business and injury set-backs, Cam continues to make time for the club, improve, and contribute to the next generations of Gallopers. Long time, teammate and friend, Tom Christie shared,

“He wouldn’t ask anyone to do something he wouldn’t be prepared to do himself. He holds people accountable, whilst being able to have honest conversations, yet still have the respect of those throughout the club.  He puts his body through the mincer each week, yet still fronts up each training ready to contribute.”

It’s a well-known fact that Cam King is a force to be reckoned with and is not someone you want to be running at, describes current coach of the GPS reserve grade side, Sio Kite,

“He is the last person on earth you want to run straight at – but what often gets lost in that is how deeply he cares about the club and the people involved. He is the epitome of many good things about GPS such as loyalty, dedication and community.”

Cam is a coach’s dream and any teammates first pick in the do or die moments. Having contributed to the first reserve grade grand final win since the early 70’s, and playing in ten consecutive grand finals across reserve grade and thirds he never takes a backwards step when playing in green and blue.

“Its been an absolute pleasure. Cammy would be the first bloke I pick in any GPS side as he is tough as nails, always gives 100% and have never seen him play a bad game” said Gallopers teammate Isaac Weier.

As a man who thrives on a challenge, relishes hard contact rugby and can turn the momentum of a match, congratulations on a very well-deserved 300 games Cam King. Welcome to the 300 club.

Cam (Far right) in 2011 celebrating 1 of his 5 Grand Final wins for GPS with teammates Sam Tewson, Andrew Poulton, Mark Donaldson and Liam Ferguson (L-R).

Julian Jefferis, the voice for Pancare

Article by Abbey Hurney

This weekend our Height 4 Hire GPS Premier Grade side will be wearing the charity round jerseys, showing our support to the Ronald McDonald House South East Queensland, the Pancare Foundation and long-time club member Julian Jefferis and the Jefferis Family.

After joining the Jeeps Juniors in 1995 as a towering lock forward, Jules went on to continue playing into Colts and seniors at the club. Club committee member and mate to Jules, Liam Ferguson opened up about his friend.

“Jules has been absolutely floored by the support he and Pancare have received this week from the Jeeps community.  It has been trying times in the last few years to be a rugby person in Australia, but as Jules said, times like this show what rugby and Jeeps is about, getting behind someone in a battle.”

“Pancreatic Cancer struggles to get any air time above some of the big causes, such as Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, and Mental Illness.  Because of this, Jules says raising the profile and awareness of the Pancare Foundation is just as important as any funds raised.”

Since his diagnosis in 2017, Jules has learnt all he can about Pancreatic Cancer, the challenges that arise, treatment and about the Pancare Foundation. Having committed himself to the fundraising and raising of public awareness for Pancare, he has been described as ‘one of the best things to happen to Pancare.’

With many memories to share both on and off the field, Fergy shared one of his favourite Rugby moments with Jules, 

“Jules has always been amongst the smartest and mature of his rugby friends – not hard.  On the GPS Rugby 2010 tour of South America – we did not have a single coach or manager, so Jules and I were the tour managers.” 

“Jules assumed full responsibility pretty early on in the tour.  I really enjoyed watching him trying to round up 40 rugby players in Uruguay to get on the team bus to the airport to fly to Rio De Janero for our next tour game.”

“We had played the day before, and then some players had celebrated too long.  So Jules was running around a hotel trying to locate lost players or risk being stranded in Uruguay.  He had hotel staff knocking on room doors looking for boys and was worried some of them might be in the watch house.  He got all 40 on the bus and we just made our flight, and Jules nearly had a nervous breakdown.” 

Jules, Liam and many other former teammates and friends will be spectating from the Pancare tent this Saturday at Yoku Road to watch our boys take on Sunnybank.

The GPS community is lucky to have so many dedicated and generous members willing to lend a helping hand to a much needed cause. 

Julian and his wife Allie

Jules (middle) in 2010 celebrating a GPS 4th Grade Grand Final win!