“I just loved it; there was a good teamwork dynamic.”— Ben Hood, Developing Beach Volleyroo
Ben Hood (2011–2021) represents Australia in beach volleyball and is a 2024 Developing Beach Volleyroo.
Ben’s sport takes him to the best beaches on the planet, but his love of volleyball began back at Toowoomba Grammar School, inspired after seeing his older brother play. As Ben explains, he was hooked:
Over time, his skills became more obvious. By Year 10, he had begun focusing on volleyball more seriously. He counts this period as a turning point in his young sporting career, one that prompted his decision to put all his effort into training and playing volleyball. Around this time, Ben and his family decided to move him into boarding at TGS, allowing him to easily get to early and late training sessions. He’s very quick to acknowledge and thank his parents, particularly his mum, for ferrying him to all his commitments during his early playing years.
In Year 12, he made the decision to leave Toowoomba Grammar School and attend the Australian Institute of Sport. His invitation to the Australian Volleyball Academy in Canberra saw him begin to develop as an athlete through their centralised and integrated program. Reminiscing about TGS, he credits Mr Eric Smith as a long-time mentor and someone he has stayed connected with. He especially likes running into Mr Smith at the bigger competitions, “We both have a similar passion for the game.”
At the end of 2022, Ben had to make a choice between indoor and beach volleyball. He chose the version of the sport which sees him playing on Earth’s most beautiful beaches. Ben’s inclusion in the South Australian Sports Institute’s elite performance squad has led to him joining the Developing Volleyroos, a key part of the national beach volleyball program.
Last year, Ben was part of the winning pair that claimed the Asian Volleyball Confederation’s U21 Beach Volleyball Championships in Thailand and another pair that won the Pacific Championships held in the Solomon Islands. Earlier this year, he and partner D’Artagnan Potts took home a bronze medal from the Nuvali Open Men’s Competition in Laguna in the Philippines.
Ben says finding balance as an elite athlete is challenging.
“Switching off from the game is sometimes tricky, but I like going camping and enjoying that part of my life.”— Ben Hood, 2024 Developing Beach Volleyroo
He always loves coming home to his family, who are involved in horticulture in the Lockyer Valley, “I get to work on the farm; I’m very lucky in that aspect.”
Ben wants to encourage current TGS students to give unexpected things a go and “make a different sporting choice.” Following this advice is what put him on his current path to success. Keep an eye out for Ben — he is again heading overseas to commence a European campaign.
Latest Blog
The Best Job in the World
Vocational Education and Training (V.E.T) plays a central role in preparing young people for work, developing skills, and responding to the labour-market needs of the economy. As the V.E.T Co-Ordinator at Toowoomba Grammar School, I have an immediate and positive influence on our young men’s skills, employability, and career development. I engage with the most amazing young men to guide their career journeys throughout Years 10, 11 and 12. I also have the privilege to work closely with their…
Inclusive and Exclusive Banter and Behaviour
As the School counsellor, who has been working in a variety of education systems, I would like to address a common and important issue that affects many of our teenage boys: banter, teasing, and bullying. Boys at this age are especially prone to these behaviours, and they can have a significant impact on their mental health and overall well-being. One of the most common mistakes for teenage boys "it's just banter" or "I'm just joking." While banter can be a positive thing and can help build…
I Have Returned to Where it Began and I Feel Right at Home
I have returned to where it all began, and I feel right at home. My parents decided when I was very young that I would attend Toowoomba Grammar School as a boarder. Coming from a property surrounded by a small community, my parents believed that sending me to TGS would provide me with many fundamental skills needed for a young man, as well as an education that I could not get in my hometown.. Starting my journey at TGS in Year 8 as a boarder in Mackintosh, adjusting from a small country high…
Tuning in to TGS Old Boy (1995-99) - Stuart St Vincent Welch
Our Old Boys have such diverse career paths; we are so proud of the good young men they become and how they make meaningful contributions to their communities. Stuart St Vincent Welch describes himself as an average student who had no idea what he wanted to do after school. But drawing on the TGS values of hard work, respect and resilience he is now working as a Sound Engineer for Barking Owl in New York City, rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s most renowned musicians and actors. He…
The TGS Show Cattle Team - On the moooove
The TGS Show Cattle Team commenced in Term 1 2021 under the guidance of Mr Jack Murphy and Mrs Julie Brophy. The concept of the team was to give boys a hands-on, extracurricular opportunity in the agricultural industry. The boys have been competing in the Young Judges’ competitions at a range of shows across Queensland. The Young Judges’ competition is based on the goal of expanding the boys' knowledge of the skills that are a foundation of the animal production industry, helping them as…
The Importance of Routines
Routines are an important part of our daily lives, providing structure and stability. This is especially true for children in their formative years, who benefit from having consistent and predictable routines in both their school and home environments. At Toowoomba Grammar School Junior School, we believe that routines are essential for helping students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. One of the key ways in which routines help students is by providing a sense of security and…
Ten Steps Ahead - Jackie Gallagher
As a high school athlete, Jackie Gallagher had the world at her feet. She was in a unique position where she was excellent at any distance from 100m to 800m. She broke Queensland and National records and was regularly selected for State and National teams. Jackie was selected for the Australian Youth team to compete at the World Youth Championships in Canada as an U18 along with the Australian Junior Commonwealth Games and the Youth Olympics, before making the U20 Australian team to compete at…
The Makings of a Premiership
The 2022 1st V Basketball squad will be forever etched in the pages of Toowoomba Grammar School history as the first TGS team to win a GPS Basketball Premiership since the competition commenced in 1984. Head of Basketball, and 1st V Coach, Mr Kabe Cicolini has been instrumental in the growth and success of not just our leading team, but of the TGS Basketball Program as a whole. Kabe has come from a background of playing GPS sport – cricket, rugby and basketball as a student at Ipswich Grammar…
Creating a Learning Environment that Boys Enjoy
Creating an environment for students to access and engage in learning is the educational philosophy of the new Toowoomba Grammar School Head of Junior School, Mr Ken Raven. “This requires a supportive an inclusive learning environment across the school where everyone feels they can make a positive contribution,” Mr Raven stated. “I encourage evidence-informed, explicit teaching of curriculum that sparks curiosity and interest for students to engage and explore.” Parental interaction and…
