The moments that shaped Churchie into the dominant force in GPS Basketball
Churchie’s GPS Basketball program had struggled for almost 20 years but then a drought-breaking title turned to school into the most dominant force in the competition over the past 13 years. SEE WHY HERE.
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For almost 20 years the Anglican Church Grammar School’s pursuit for success in GPS basketball had fallen short.
But then a drought-breaking premiership in 2008 changed the direction of the program forever and was ultimately the catalyst for the school, known as Churchie, to become the most dominant school in the competition ever since.
The program has gone on to win three more GPS titles (2013, 2014 and 2019), taking their tally to four in the past 13 years – the most of any team during that time period – and only one finish outside the top three in the firsts competition.
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Churchie’s rise also led to the program developing talents, who have gone on to play at the highest level, including Cameron Bairstow who was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the NBA and William McDowell-White who is now with the Houston Rockets’ G-League affiliate team.
“Through the 1990s and 2000s Churchie were not strong contenders in GPS Basketball, with limited success across the program, limited GPS wins and no top three First V finishes. I was a part of this as a student,” Churchie director of basketball, Trent Goodrick, said.
“There is no doubt that our Firsts premiership in 2008, after a 20 year wait, along with the building of our Sir John Pidgeon Sports Complex were significant in generating momentum and belief in the program.
“This was followed by Old Boy success in the NBL and NBA, which continued to elevate the Churchie basketball program’s profile both inside and outside of the community.
“Churchie First V have finished in the top three each year except for once (fourth) over the last 13 years. Prior to 2008 we did not have a top three finish for nearly 20 years.”
Their success also led to the appointment of Australian basketball legend and two-time Olympian CJ Bruton as first coach in 2017.
Last season was also the most successful year in the program’s history, winning the firsts premiership and a total of 172 wins from 198 games across their 29 teams.
Out of 260 players, Churchie also had 30 earn representative team selection.
Goodrick said there were several factors behind the program’s dominance over the last 13 years, including buying into the school culture as well as commitment to Churchie’s mission of being the ‘Making of Men’.
He also believed support from the community and the school and community support had contributed to the success significantly along with access to facilities, training and programs, committed staff and coaches and the integration and inclusion of many parts of the Churchie student body from media, music and IT.
Goodrick also said the school’s ongoing commitment to Churchie USA basketball, where any student at any level could experience basketball in another country was a major factor.
“Initially our main hurdle was building a culture that believed we could be a competitive school in GPS Basketball,” he said.
“Now, it is managing the popularity of the sport, to provide opportunities for the large interest from students across Years 5 to 12.
“Also, it is maintaining the momentum of the growing tradition of success across recent years.
“The Churchie basketball success has been the collective work of families, students, coaches, staff, Old Boys and the school’s support over the last decade.
“We have built a program where its core values align with the school core values, which will provides the foundation for the program to continue to thrive.”
The program is one win away from all but clinching another outright GPS basketball title when they take on last year’s joint premiers, St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, but Goodrick said that wasn’t their only focus.
“We would like to win a GPS First V Premiership like any other school in the GPS,” he said.
“The difference is we aim to give each team and student the same opportunities for development, enjoyment and success.
“Any boy wanting to play basketball has the opportunity to compete in a meaningful full term competition as well as various development programs.”
Churchie and Gregory Terrace, the competition’s only undefeated teams, will clash at Gregory Terrace at 2.30pm Saturday.