Community and GPS and school sport - what you need to know about your local competition
Community and school sport - what you need to know about your local competition including a decision by the GPS association not to contest term 3 premierships, which incorporates First XV rugby.
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The GPS association has decided not to contest term 3 sport premierships, which include the prestigious First XV rugby competitions.
This follows a decision by the state government to cease a return to sport until Sunday, August 22, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Here is the latest from your local competition
GPS Sport
In breaking news this afternoon the GPS association revealed term 3 premierships would not be contested, although competition may resume after August 22 depending on health advice.
“GPS Term three Sport and Activities of Chess, Basketball and Rugby will not contest Premierships in 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak and restrictions impacting on the reduction of rounds able to be conducted,’ the association said in a written statement.
“The GPS Association realise the latest developments may create challenges and disappointment for our senior students, but please be assured these decisions have been taken as a necessary response to safeguarding our boys during the evolving COVID-19 situation and maintaining the integrity of GPS premierships.’’
However, the nine member GPS schools still want to continue competitive fixtures “when it is safe to do so, and the current restrictions are relaxed’’.
“Modifications to rounds 7, 8 and 9 may occur due to student-athlete’s safety; however, we intend to contest them at this stage.
“As per the usual GPS protocol, weekly safety meetings will occur before round 7, with match day schedules released the week of the competition.’’
Langer Trophy
The elite Langer Trophy schoolboy rugby league competition, which is livestreamed by the www.couriermail.com.au, may revert straight to semi-finals on Wednesday, August 26, but the option of retaining playing quarterfinals involving eight teams also remains a viable option.
Brisbane Broncos Game Development Manager Paul Dwyer said discussions were still underway between the competition convener and NRL as to how the competition finals format looks.
“But there are positive signs the state final will still be played on September 15.’’
The top four placings prior to the lockdown were - Marsden SHS, Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Keebra Park SHS and Ipswich SHS.
Head of the River
The Brisbane Schoolgirl Rowing Association traditional Head of the River remains on track to be raced on August 28.
Unfortunately lead-up regattas, which are the heart and soul of the season, have been cancelled, but it is full steam ahead for the headline act, the Head of the River, to proceed.
Duel in the Pool
Australia’s best junior swimmers were to compete at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, August 18-21, with the open water component on the Gold Coast (August 22).
But this event has been cancelled.
Elizabeth Dekkers (Newmarket Racers), Ella Ramsay (St Peters Western), Flynn Southam (Bond), Kai Taylor (St Peters Western), Sam Short (Centenary Rackley), TSS Aquatic’s Grayson Bell, Lani Pallister (Griffith University) – among other thrilling Queensland swim prospects - were to compete.
Club rugby
The QRU is meeting with all Queensland Premier Rugby stakeholders to discuss pushing the semi-finals to the last weekend in August - and the grand final to early September.
This would mean QRU were likely to lose Suncorp Stadium as its grand final venue, but multiple local club facilities - and quality venues on both coasts - remain options to host finals.
Warehouse Cricket
Warehouse Cricket was coming off a record Winter season, with 287 teams registered to play in senior and junior competitions including an eight-team girls’ competition.
The COVID-19 restrictions has meant a revamp to finals.
SATURDAY FINALS: Played over two (2) Saturdays on 28th August & 4th September.
SUNDAY FINALS 50 Over: Played on Sunday, 29th August.
SUNDAY T20 SEMI & FINALS: Played on Sunday, 5th September.
2021-22 SUMMER SEASON – will start on 18th September
Queensland Girls Secondary School Sports Association, and AIC updates
The respective associations were meeting over the next 72 hours to discuss the future of resuming term 3 sports prior to the September-October school holidays. Watch this space.
QAFL
The QAFL club finals and school fixtures, including the StreetsSmart Schools Cup North Queensland Championships, were on hold for the moment.
“While the pandemic will continue to challenge us, the health, safety and wellbeing of our football community remains our highest priority,’’ a QAFL spokesman said.
“AFL Queensland will continue to work with the Queensland Government and health authorities and be guided by their advice and direction.’’
Bill Turner Schools Football
The Bill Turner School Football Queensland Manager Mr David Donaldson said boys and girls finals, scheduled for this month, would now be held in September.
“With the South East Queensland COVID lockdown extended and likely to be extended further we have decided to set new dates of 14th and 15th September for the 2021 Bill Turner Cup and Trophy Queensland Finals Series,” he said.
The September 14 semi-finals will involve:
Cairns State High v Brisbane State High
Chancellor State College v Helensvale State High
Murrumba State High v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS
Ignatius Park College (Townsville) v Kelvin Grove College
The September 15 finals will see two play-offs for third and then two Cup finals.
Queensland Schools Premier League
Queensland Schools Premier League finals scheduled for August were likely to be pushed back to September.
Hockey Queensland
Hockey Queensland CEO Alison Lyons said: “Hockey Queensland and it’s member associations impacted by the lockdown and two week restriction on community sport are currently working through scenarios to ensure the season can be played and how it might impact the start of the indoor season and U15 State Championships.
“With meetings scheduled over the next two days we will have an announcement on our way forward in the coming days.”
Originally published as Community and GPS and school sport - what you need to know about your local competition
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