GPS Rugby
Encyclopedia
GPS Rugby Club is one of the oldest in Australia, tracing its roots to 1887 -
even before the Australian Rugby Union was born.
Based at Ashgrove in Brisbane, Queensland, Jeeps has produced 29 Wallabies including Ben Tune, Daniel Herbert, Matt Cockbain, and Daniel Heenan, along with a host of other representative and professional players.
Jeeps plays in Queensland Premier Rugby in Division One of the Brisbane Grades and Colts competition, and in "Golden Oldies" for the over 35's.
The club's players were available for selection to the now defunct Australian Rugby Championship
franchise Ballymore Tornadoes
.
and, in so doing, assist the progress of members along the broader pathway of life.
In pursuit of the mission, we will actively promote the following values: developing the whole person; respecting the individual; respecting individual and group responsibilities; upholding the standards of a responsible community organisation; catering for the needs of players at all levels; and encouraging individual participation."
According to noted rugby historian Ian Diehm in his book Red! Red! Red!, Past Grammar reformed along with other clubs after the devastation of the first world war, and eventually became GPS in 1931 after a change of constitution, which broadened its membership beyond old boys of Brisbane Grammar.
The first president of the modern GPS was Dr Kenneth Fraser and its first coach Dr "Jacky" Beath, the former Wallaby and Australian Infantry Forces fullback.
Four members of the club - "Blow" Ide, Bill McLean, Boyd Oxlade and Llewellyn "Welly" Lewis went to England with the 1939 Wallabies, but only McLean continued after World War II. McLean was the first of GPS's two Australian captains, Arch Winning being the second.
The club has had many homes: New Farm Park, Finsbury Park and, since 1977, Ashgrove Sports Ground.
Past Grammar had won premierships in 1892, 1898, 1899 and 1914, but had to wait until 1961 to win again as GPS, coached by the former GPS player and later Queensland and Australian coach, the late Bob Templeton.
The club won the premiership again in 1972 and for a third time in 1996, when the A Grade team upset Souths 12-6.
Modern GPS - 1961, 1972 and 1996
even before the Australian Rugby Union was born.
Based at Ashgrove in Brisbane, Queensland, Jeeps has produced 29 Wallabies including Ben Tune, Daniel Herbert, Matt Cockbain, and Daniel Heenan, along with a host of other representative and professional players.
Jeeps plays in Queensland Premier Rugby in Division One of the Brisbane Grades and Colts competition, and in "Golden Oldies" for the over 35's.
The club's players were available for selection to the now defunct Australian Rugby Championship
Australian Rugby Championship
The Australian Rugby Championship, often abbreviated to the ARC , was a domestic Rugby union football club competition in Australia which ran for only one season in August–October 2007...
franchise Ballymore Tornadoes
Ballymore Tornadoes
The Ballymore Tornadoes were an Australian rugby union football club that played in the now-defunct Australian Rugby Championship. The Tornadoes were formed as one of Queensland's two clubs that will participate in the inaugural season of the championship, starting in August 2007...
.
GPS Mission Statement
"The GPS club exists to promote and foster excellence and enjoyment in the 'running game' of Rugby Football...and, in so doing, assist the progress of members along the broader pathway of life.
In pursuit of the mission, we will actively promote the following values: developing the whole person; respecting the individual; respecting individual and group responsibilities; upholding the standards of a responsible community organisation; catering for the needs of players at all levels; and encouraging individual participation."
History
GPS is one of the oldest clubs in Queensland rugby, tracing its heritage back to the Past Grammar club formed in 1887.According to noted rugby historian Ian Diehm in his book Red! Red! Red!, Past Grammar reformed along with other clubs after the devastation of the first world war, and eventually became GPS in 1931 after a change of constitution, which broadened its membership beyond old boys of Brisbane Grammar.
The first president of the modern GPS was Dr Kenneth Fraser and its first coach Dr "Jacky" Beath, the former Wallaby and Australian Infantry Forces fullback.
Four members of the club - "Blow" Ide, Bill McLean, Boyd Oxlade and Llewellyn "Welly" Lewis went to England with the 1939 Wallabies, but only McLean continued after World War II. McLean was the first of GPS's two Australian captains, Arch Winning being the second.
The club has had many homes: New Farm Park, Finsbury Park and, since 1977, Ashgrove Sports Ground.
Past Grammar had won premierships in 1892, 1898, 1899 and 1914, but had to wait until 1961 to win again as GPS, coached by the former GPS player and later Queensland and Australian coach, the late Bob Templeton.
The club won the premiership again in 1972 and for a third time in 1996, when the A Grade team upset Souths 12-6.
1st Grade Premierships
Past Grammar - 1892, 1898, 1899 and 1914Modern GPS - 1961, 1972 and 1996
Internationals
- Ben TuneBen TuneBen Tune is an Australian rugby union player. He played most of his rugby career on the wing but later switched to outside centre....
- Daniel HerbertDaniel HerbertDaniel Herbert was born 6 February 1974 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He won 67 caps playing at centre for the Australian rugby union side since 1994. He made his test debut at the age of 20 against Ireland on 11 June 1994. He battled Jason Little for a state and test spot alongside Tim...
- Matt CockbainMatt CockbainMatt Cockbain is an Australian rugby union footballer. He played over 60 times for the national team, the Wallabies. He made his debut for Australia in 1997 in Brisbane, in a Test match against France....
- Daniel HeenanDaniel HeenanDaniel Heenan is an Australian rugby union footballer. His usual position is at flanker/lock. He used to play for the Brumbies in the Super 14 and has played for the Wallabies. He plays for Sanyo Wild Knights in Japan.-Career:...
- Daniel Gorman
External links
- GPS Rugby - Official website
- GPS Over 35's - GPS Golden Gallopers Over 35's