The strong connection between a host of Queensland Reds players and the fortunes of their schools will flare afresh when the GPS rugby season kicks off on Saturday.
No one is born in a Reds jersey. So often the pathway is forged from school experiences where talent, skill, diligent training and enthusiasm combine for the first time.
That’s why memories are so precious from school days when lifelong friendships kick-off and priceless moments are shared for the pure love of the game.
It’s also why parochialism and playful banter in support of your old school for a new season rarely leaves a player’s kitbag.
There are players from all nine GPS schools represented at the Reds or in the Buildcorp Reds Academy.
For Reds squad hooker Zac Hough, his three years in the Brisbane Boys’ College First XV (2019-21) created wonderful memories.
“I loved playing at school. I feel like GPS rugby is the best of the best in Queensland going against each other in that Under 16s-to-Under 18s age group,” Hough said.
“You enjoy some amazing experiences. I still remember us lifting (captain) Mason Gordon on our shoulders with the GPS trophy in 2020.
“Being part of that BBC First XV, the first premiership team for the school since 1954, was also a relief in the end.
“We’d lost on the buzzer to The Southport School with the premiership on the line the year before when Zane Nonggorr and George Blake were in their team.
“It makes you realise you have to win every small moment. New boys find that out every season.
“The coaching and training is top class at GPS level. I mean I had Shane Drahm, Toutai Kefu, Steve Kefu and Stephen Phillpotts, all former Wallabies or Reds players, as coaches.”
For Reds Academy centre Josh Takai, the memories are even fresher because he finished school in 2023 at Brisbane State High.
“Beating Nudgee on ‘Back to State High’ day in ’23 is my favourite memory because the ground at school is ‘The Coliseum’ on days like that,” Takai said.
“That was a miracle comeback and it was packed.
“Playing school rugby at GPS level does set you up for going into club footy and even the professional ranks.
“Players work out if they are willing to wake up early, do extras and put in the hard training. You develop good life skills too.”
Brisbane State High host Gregory Terrace in another pumping edition of “Back to State High” day on the opening Saturday of the new season this weekend.
Nudgee College host Toowoomba Grammar, BBC are at home to Brisbane Grammar and Churchie meet Ipswich Grammar in a flip-of-the-coin game.
Young TSS graduate Kingsley Uys, the Australia Under-18s powerhouse, enjoyed 2023-25 in the First XV at his school.
“A different team, a different story every season,” Uys said.
“Results are obviously important for silverware but the memories you build, the banter and people you share the season with are a big part of your school life. I had very enjoyable experiences.”
That thrill of being part of school First XV year creates memories for life. For the photo running with this story, Reds assistant coach Zane Hilton happily brought along his Nudgee College jersey from the 1998 premiership year. It was 100 per cent cotton and oversized as was the fashion of the day. It still looked like it had been washed and ironed the night before.
Every GPS rugby season is a crazy sprint of eight games where any off-kilter moment may cost the favourites a premiership as Hough said.
Sides may overflow with talent like Brisbane State High’s undefeated 2009 outfit, Churchie’s star class of 2014 with Kalyn Ponga and Co, Josh Flook’s Nudgee College juggernaut of 2018 and other recent combinations from that rugby nursery.
The truth is most seasons are as intriguing as they are with sliding doors moments where a key win – or loss – transforms a whole season. A teenager might get a single bite at success in his First XV year.
Another season of treasured memories for life await the First XV Class of 2026 in GPS rugby.
