Former star shines light on darker side of GPS rugby competition

The GPS First XV rugby competition has been criticised as “over-hyped” by a former schoolboy star who said the growing professionalism of the competition placed too much pressure on young athletes.

The GPS First XV rugby competition has been criticised as “over-hyped” by a former schoolboy star who said the growing professionalism of the competition placed too much pressure on young athletes.

Former Churchie scrumhalf George Tarabay, a 2017 member of the GPS I representative side, described the competition as one of Australia’s toughest and most scrutinised in an online column for insidefeed.com.au earlier this month.

Tarabay praised his experience in the First XV as a largely positive one, celebrating the history and tradition he was involved in when playing for Anglican Church Grammar.

But the young scrumhalf also shone a light on a darker side of the competition which made him question whether his involvement had been worth it.

Gregory Terrace supporters at Nudgee College vs Gregory Terrace at Tennyson, Saturday July 28, 2018. (AAP/Image Sarah Marshall)

“It’s got a great following, but with that comes great pressure to perform,” the 19-year-old said.

“When you’re caught up in the fanfare of it all, it is quite easy to dedicate your life to it.

“There’s luncheons, pump up videos, jersey presentations and a lot more, plenty of glitz and glamour.

“But the pressure is on and it hits you like a tonne of bricks. Each game is like a grand final, you have one shot and before you know it, it passes and it’s all over.

“Is all the training and sacrifice worth it? In totality you’re looking at upwards of 24 weeks of training for 8 games, early mornings, camps, video reviews, it’s a big commitment.

“If I had my time over again, I wish I could have approached my rugby differently.

“I wish I could have taken a step back, have some fun with it and look back with greater fondness than I do now.

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BHS player Nesta Mahina (hooker) - GPS school rugby match between Nudgee College (Blue&white) vs Brisbane State High at Nudgee College, Nudgee Saturday 21st July, 2018 Picture AAP/David Clark

“I am not saying it is too professional, but for me it was over-hyped.”

Reds Academy scrumhalf Spencer Jeans, who played for The Southport School against Tarabay’s Churchie side in 2017, said he could relate to his message.

“A lot of the stuff he talked about, playing for that culture and tribalism and the jersey presentations and pump-up videos – there’s nothing else like it,” Jeans said.

“I know what he said but I personally didn’t think the competition was over-hyped too much.

“He spoke about watching Kalyn Ponga and Jaydn Su’a, and you had names like Noah Lolesio and Isaac Lucas and Reesjan Pasitoa coming through and that just goes to show there’s a lot of good talent in the competition.

“There was a lot of external pressure but I never felt I had to play because of it, we played for the boys in the team, to fulfil family traditions and for pride more than just to win.

“As George said, the school body idolises you if you play at 2.15pm and we just didn’t want to let them down.

“You train for seven months to play eight games and some boys never get the chance to play again.

“I don’t blame anyone for feeling that pressure.”

GPS rugby match between Brisbane Grammar and The Southport School - TSS Spencer Jeans, Brisbane Saturday 11th August 2018 Picture AAP/David Clark