Darling Downs School Sport celebrates major milestone

Change provides more opportunities for Darling Downs students to shine

The Darling Downs girls cricket team celebrates a catch by Taylah Baxter in their match against Capricornia in the Queensland School Sport 13-15 years girls cricket championships. Picture: Kevin Farmer

BEFORE 1979 student athletes in the Darling Downs had very few opportunities to represent their state and country.

An over abundance of divisions and sporting bodies placed smaller schools and regions at a disadvantage.

That all changed in 1979 when a Queensland Education Department restructure bought about the creation of Darling Downs School Sport.

Current DDSS regional officer Wayne Beeston said the restructure helped students by providing a clear, defined pathway.

"Before the restructure small country areas were at a real disadvantage,” Beeston said.

"There were not a lot of opportunities for the kids to participate at championships.

"The change gave more kids that opportunity - the pathways are a lot clearer and more defined.

"Since then we've produced countless Darling Downs and Queensland representatives plus more than our fair share of Australian reps at both junior and senior level.”

Beeston said healthy and strong relationships with the greater sporting community were the reason behind the success of region.

"We have one of the smallest catchment zones but have produced athletes or teams in just about every sport expect for surfing - for obvious reasons,” Beeston said.

"The key to our success is the strong relationships we have with club sport in our region.

"We don't push our barrow ahead of anyone else.

Darling Downs tennis player Chloe Webster lines up a shot. Picture: Bev Lacey

"A lot of our teachers are heavily involved in club sport and apply the skills they learn there to school sport.

"We also work closely with state development officers across the various sports.

"We understand a lot of our kids play club and school sport - we recognise and encourage that participation.

"The kids also take great pride in wearing the Darling Downs colours - it means so much to them to be given that opportunity.”

Beeston's beliefs are echoed by Toowoomba sporting stalwart John Gouldson - the first DDSS board chairman.

"I think when you look at school sport it's a bit of an all-star system,” Gouldson said.

"It brings together the best of the best, but at the same time it runs parallel with club sport.

"The two run hand in hand - working with each other.”

Brisbane Broncos forward Shane Webcke takes on the Cronulla line. Webcke will speak at the Darling Downs School Sport dinner. Picture: COLIN WHELAN

Celebrate school sport

Darling Downs School Sport will celebrate 40 years with two special events next week.

A student breakfast at City Golf Club and dinner at Urban Ground Cafe will both be held on March 1.

Tickets are still available to both events but the numbers are limited.

"We're planning a student breakfast in the morning and a dinner that night,” Beeston said.

"The dinner will be attended by former Darling Downs student athletes Karen Smith, Gemma Etheridge, Matt Denny, Steve Price and Shane Webcke.”

To book tickets for either event or for information email [e-mail]

Originally published as Darling Downs School Sport celebrates major milestone