Winning off the field just as important for Queensland schoolboy league powerhouse
Wavell SHS has produced league stars Greg Inglis, Kodi Nikorima, Ashley Harrison, Darryl Brohman, David Wright and Adam Blair, but for the current crop winning off the field is just as important. Andrew Dawson reports on Wavell’s Langer Cup build-up.
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Winning off the field is just as important as on-field results for the Wavell State High School league squad as the Langer Cup schoolboy league powerhouse prepares for the season launch this month.
Wavell SHS has produced the great Greg Inglis, Kiwi stars Kodi Nikorima and Adam Blair, along with Queensland forwards Ashley Harrison, Darryl Brohman, David Wright, but for the current crop winning off the field is just as important.
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Coach Jim Francis said a huge part of the school’s league program was “winning off the field and making sure we are doing everything possible away from the football field to be the best we can and the best people we can be’’.
“Behaviour off the field has been a focus, making sure we are doing well in our academics and once the footy comes around, we have set up some really good habits.’’
A glimpse of the school’s honour board of league past players reads like a who’s who and Francis said his current crop were aware of the school’s history.
“It is something we are really proud of, the history of our school,’’ Francis said.
“It is really important the boys be appreciative of the work that has been done before them and be able to build on the success that has happened before them.
“A lot about our program is tapping back into that history of our program. That is something I think is really important for them to understand.’’
Wavell will have a fresh look about their side when the elite Brisbane Broncoss-sponsored schoolboy Langer Cup competition starts on July 29.
Wavell finished the 2019 season with a flourish to earn a semi-final berth in the statewide competition.
But 2020 will see a host of younger players ushered into the Firsts.
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“We are a young side this year,’’ said coach Jim Francis.
“We had a bit of success in our year 10s last year and a lot of them have stepped up into our First squad this year.
“With that they bring a lot of enthusiasm and they are really keen and eager.
Being young, the eagerness, enthusiasm they have brought to our session has been really impressive.
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“We are really happy with the blokes who have stepped up.’’
Francis said he was able to turn a negative into a positive and use the COVID-19 crisis and the break from club football wisely.
“Having the break has enabled them to learn a bit more about the game in detail.
“Having that break from club football brought everything back to school as the main focus.
“So we have been able to build some really good relationships within our group and work on the understanding of the game and dig a little bit deeper which you don’t normally get time to do.’’
This season the Langer Cup, which along with the Aaron Payne Cup (North Queensland) is the elite schoolboy league competition in Australia, will start on July 29.
The competition will be lived streamed by The Courier-Mail and News affiliates, with details coming this month.