“As a Grammar boy, you have the Blue and Gold in your blood for life. You’ve got connections and networks because of this special bond. It’s hard to describe what it is exactly; I think it stems from the history and traditions that are passed down to each generation but it’s something you carry your entire life, you’re part of this team.” – TGS Old Boy (1960-63) John Campbell, Senior Prefect 1963, Captain 1st XV Rugby 1963.
John was excited to learn in a recent edition of The Blue and Gold newsletter that the Rugby Ambassadors’ Program is being revived. It was an initiative he was part of during the three years he played for the 1st XV (1960-63), with his mentor the legendary Australian Rugby League halfback, Duncan Thomson (1942).
“He was a great mentor,” said John.
“Not just helping us with skills and bouncing tactical ideas off him, but he would just talk to us about the challenges of life in general, we could talk about anything to him.”
John believes this is a terrific initiative for both the current TGS students, and the Old Boys to forge connections.
“It may take a bit of time for the ice to break,” he advised.
“The Old Boys might need to be patient and persistent, but hopefully the young ones will take advantage of the life experience and knowledge that’s being offered to them and having another shoulder to lean on if they need it.”
John said the program helped him open up, taught him how to talk to others and not to be afraid to ask for assistance when he needed it as he got older.
“Looking back, I can see that it helped me in a lot of areas of my life, not just while I was playing rugby.”
The program meant so much to John that he still has a pair of football boots that he ‘won’ from Duncan in 1963.
“Each year Duncan would reward the most improved tackler of the season with a pair of brand new boots,” reminisced John.
“Everyone wanted to win them!” he laughed.
TGS Old Boys are currently being sought to volunteer for the 2022 Rugby Ambassadors’ Program.
It’s not a coaching role, but more about sharing your passion for the School, using Rugby as the vehicle, so that these young boys understand the significance and pride associated with being a ‘Grammar’ boy.
Will Campbell (1999-2003, and no relation to John) was one of the first Old Boys to sign up as an ambassador. He is excited to have the opportunity to step back in time, remember where he was at that age and watch the boys develop their skills and professionalism.
He owns AIRLEC Australia, an electrical company in Toowoomba and has maintained his association with the School by offering work experience to TGS boys, along with attending GPS Rugby home games regularly to cheer on the Blue and Gold.
Will started out in the 15Cs, before developing his technique and running on for the 1st XV in 2003. He went on to premier grade in Brisbane, before playing professionally in Scotland then returning to Toowoomba to coach the Bears.
He loved the comradery that came with being part of a team and credits the TGS Rugby program for helping him build confidence and assertiveness which have been useful life skills.
“It was about five years after I finished school that I realised how lucky I was to have attended Grammar,” said Will.
“I wish I understood the significance of the mateship and the opportunities that we had while I was there, and the connections that you gain from being a TGS Old Boy.
“That is what I want to share with the boys through this program; how magnificent the School is and how lucky they are.”
Ambassadors will be assigned to a team and will need to attend at least one, possibly two, training sessions each week during Term 3 (July 11 – September 16), along with home games and any away games you can manage.
Several Old Boys have already been assigned teams, but more ambassadors are still needed.
If you’re interested, please contact Head of Rugby, David Enfantie d.enfantie@twgs.qld.edu.au .
Latest Blog
Reducing Stress: the Key to a Peaceful Life
Have you ever felt the soul-crushing burden of stress dragging your life through the mud? Ever had your precious time dwindled away at the hands of stress, while you are left powerless and alone? Well all this pain and anguish can be resolved in an instant; and all it takes is a change in the way we think. This alteration in brain chemistry is defined as mindfulness, the ability to obtain momentary awareness and recognition of our thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness is the key to defeating…
Gaining Ground with a Growth Mindset
I have seen the posters. I have sat the assemblies. I have watched the ads telling us about growth mindsets and how to develop one, and I'm sure you have too. But what we don't do is apply it to ourselves to help benefit our lives, however, there is no reason to blame yourself. The growth mindset is a deep topic that has many layers to it and is extremely important to have today. While we might blame other things on our weaknesses, it all links back to one thing – our mindset. To benefit our…
Sleeping Away the Mental Health Crisis
Two in five. That’s how many young Australians between the ages of 16 and 24 have experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months (ABS, 2022). Let that sink in. Think of your closest five mates. Odds are that two of them are suffering right now from a crippling mental illness. According to recent studies conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia is witnessing an unprecedented rise in mental health issues among its youth, leaving them vulnerable and struggling (Headspace,…
Time for a Wake Up Call
Did you know that one in five 12–17-year-olds average over 8 hours of screen time a day? That means that in a 14-hour day, 57% of their waking hours involve looking at a screen! This madness is contributing to a very significant problem all teenagers face - sleep deprivation. It is killing us. We are becoming walking zombies rather than happy, growing lads. However, we can end this treacherous technological tyranny by putting down our screens before bed. Stop and think for a second. How much…
Breaking the Stigma
Strangling you in chains. Smothering you in despair. Anxiety and depression can be mighty beasts to break free from. Unfortunately, the state of traditional masculinity is reinforcing these chains. Mental health is a major threat to the well-being of men. This cage constructs barriers and borders which limit their ability to thrive in the modern world. Traditional Masculinity refers to a set of societal expectations foregrounded through the centuries by gender roles, stereotypes and beliefs.…
The Power of Gratitude
“What do you say mate?” your mum nudges you as the waitress hands you your dinosaur nuggets. “Thank you.” You have always been told to use good manners, and to say thank you, but what does thank you actually mean? Is it just two meaningless words uttered with monotonous regularity, or is it a tool that can alleviate mental health issues generating happiness and a sense of wellbeing? Gratitude is the sunlight that lights up those dark days. The ability to be grateful is at the core of personal…
The Silent Epidemic: Unveiling the Consequences of Sleep Deprivation
“Sleep that soothes away all our worries. Sleep that puts each day to rest. Sleep that relieves the weary laborer and heals hurt minds.” William Shakespeare (Macbeth, 1606) Heart Disease, Cancer, and Alzheimer's. Three life-threatening diseases. Three diseases all linked to lack of sleep. According to Dr. Okorie from the children’s health division of Stanford University, “7 out of 10 high school students are falling short of… (sleep) on school nights.” The Bulk of American teens are not getting…
Tik Tok - From Fun to Fear
Social media platforms have ingrained themselves into our daily lives in a time when technology is constantly evolving and drawing millions of users with seductive features and never-ending streams of captivating content. Among these, TikTok has become a worldwide phenomenon, captivating users with its viral challenges and short-form films. Underneath the fun and inventiveness however, there is growing concern about the risks connected to TikTok and other social media platforms. TikTok's…
Active Procrastination – Unlocking the Gates of Time
“Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.” - Christopher Parker – professional actor. Unfortunately, procrastination is a term that we are all familiar with as students; the vast majority of us have experienced it firsthand. It saps our time and results like a parasite, a burden on its host. However, despite it’s reputation, recent studies have shown that when harnessed correctly, procrastination can be a powerful tool to improve both academic efficiency…
