СƵ

In the competitive world of school sports, СƵ has quietly revolutionised the approach to student-athlete development.

Our Athletic Development Program represents a paradigm shift in how schools nurture sporting talent—combining cutting-edge technology, evidence-based practices and a whole-person philosophy that prepares young men for success beyond the scoreboard.

The program isn't simply about creating better athletes; it's about developing resilient, adaptable young men who understand that true performance excellence requires both scientific precision and character development. By implementing age-appropriate training methodologies and sport-specific pathways, we ensure each student receives the right intervention at the right time in their athletic journey.

“What truly sets our approach apart is the seamless integration of modern sports science into daily practice. We offer four pathways: performance GPS sport for elite competition, GPS sport for those who love the game, a high performance academy for non-GPS athletes striving for excellence and a dedicated wellbeing and lifelong health pathway for developing those healthy habits.”
Mr Kabe Cicolini, Head of Sport

Our performance testing protocols, sophisticated load management systems and comprehensive wellbeing tracking create a data ecosystem that allows for truly individualised athletic development. Through athlete management software, GPS tracking during training and competition and interactive wellbeing dashboards, we've created an environment where decisions are driven by evidence rather than intuition alone.

Beyond our work with students, the department serves as a center for professional development and community engagement. Our partnerships with universities like UniSQ have established internship pathways, while our coach education workshops elevate sporting expertise throughout the region. These initiatives create a virtuous cycle of knowledge exchange that benefits our School community while building meaningful career pathways for the sports professionals of tomorrow.

At its core, our Athletic Development Program embodies TGS's commitment to excellence with purpose. By balancing high-performance aspirations with character building and long-term development principles, we prepare our students to represent themselves, their teams and their School with distinction wherever life takes them.

We're excited to share the story of one of the key team members behind this vision—a past student who has returned to lead our Athletic Development Program and whose journey exemplifies the very values we seek to instill in our students.

Feels like a homecoming

Coming back to СƵ felt like a calling. I knew I could make a difference to the athletes coming through the ranks, driven by the deep-seated passion for sport that has defined my career.

With a lifelong commitment to sport, five years at university studying exercise science and experience working in a range of professional sports, from the NRL to combat sports, I believed I had a real opportunity to impact the athletes of tomorrow. After honing my youth development skills at schools in Brisbane, I saw an opportunity to return home and invest my time in the institution that moulded me into the man I am today.

Since returning to TGS in 2023, I’ve viewed this role as an opportunity to enhance athletic development within the School. Sport and cocurricular activities are the lifeblood of a student’s time at TGS and their impact on character and wellbeing is immeasurable. The chance to contribute to this environment has been both a privilege and a profound responsibility.

Mr Jackson Stone, Head of Athletic Development

My experience as a GPS athlete taught me many lessons, primarily about resilience and the process of achieving at any level. Although I never tasted gold at the GPS level or later in my athletic life, I’ve had the opportunity to rub shoulders with former Olympians like Debbie Wells (1976, 1980 and 1984), current Olympians like Matthew Denny (2016, 2020 and 2024) and a range of international and national level athletes.

These experiences gave me insight into the hardships of being elite in any endeavour, how to be resilient through challenges and how to bask in glory on the other side.

Since entering the athletic development field almost 10 years ago, my ethos has evolved significantly. As my experience as a coach and mentor grew, so did my understanding of the importance of fostering individuality and helping athletes grow as individuals rather than being carbon copies of someone else. This supported my growing philosophy of holistic development for athletes and, ultimately, the young men of TGS.

The Athletic Development Department aims to build on the concepts outlined in the Strategic Plan, giving boys the skills to access wellbeing for life. While my bias is towards physical wellbeing, I also wanted to invest in the boys’ mental and pastoral development. In order to achieve this, the four pillars of the Athletic Development Department were created:

  • Strength and Conditioning: Developing the boys physically to excel at sport and have physical literacy for life.
  • Sport Science: Monitoring students’ development and training to make them the best possible versions of themselves.
  • Injury Management: Assisting boys in transitioning from injury back onto the field or court as smoothly as possible.
  • Nutrition: Educating boys and families on how to best fuel themselves for success.

Although still early in my TGS career, I have had some incredible highlights. The capacity to work not only with the boys but also to help shape the direction of their development Schoolwide from Prep to Year 12 has made this role the most impactful of my career. Some examples include:

  • P–12 Athletic Development Strategy: One of my first tasks at the School was to guide the physical development of TGS men through an overarching strategy. This led to the creation of the TGS Long Term Athletic Development Model, which focuses on building physical literacy throughout a student’s Junior School tenure and then builds on this to allow them to excel in their sporting lives.
  • Student Athlete Management System (SAMS): I was passionate about developing a system that allowed Heads of Sport, myself and other key stakeholders to monitor and guide students throughout their athletic journeys. SAMS was born out of my own passion for preventing students from burning out through sport, as I had when I graduated from TGS. It enables TGS to collect, store and analyse student training, wellbeing, pastoral and performance data to reward, intervene and assist students where needed.

Ultimately, my goal is to make a difference in the lives of young men, giving them the tools to build their own wellbeing framework. Whether as members of a high-performance team or weekend warriors flying around the Noosa Triathlon, I hope my influence on TGS boys allows them to be physically active and confident in any physical activity they pursue.

“Reflecting on my journey, I am reminded of the profound impact that dedicated mentorship and a supportive environment can have on young athletes. It is my hope that through my work at TGS, I can inspire the next generation to not only achieve their athletic goals but also develop the resilience, character and lifelong love for physical activity that will serve them well beyond their school years.”
— Mr Jackson Stone, Head of Athletic Development

Latest Blog

Old Boys
/
Thursday, 27 Nov 2025

Old Boy Geoffrey Smith inspires at our Senior School Speech Night

СƵ’s Senior School Speech Night was marked by a powerful address from Old Boy Geoffrey Smith (2002–06), recently named the 2025 Australian of the Year for Queensland. Geoffrey, co-founder of Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA), has become a national leader in recognising the untapped potential of neurodivergent Australians in the workforce. His organisation provides geo-spatial and engineering services while creating meaningful employment opportunities - with 80 per cent…

Read More
Boarding
/
Thursday, 20 Nov 2025

Tears at the Gate, Pride at the Finish

Melanie Elms says she regularly sees a group of TGS parents socially, they've become lifelong friends Heartfelt moments bookend the boarding years “It feels very surreal. I'm proud, but it is very surreal.” Those were the words of Mrs Melanie Elms from 'Taringa' near Edgeroi, New South Wales, as she reflected on the moment her youngest son Sam finished his time at СƵ. An end to walking up to Taylor House returning a boarder to TGS forever and it comes just 12 months after…

Read More
Blog Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025

The Grammar Boy: TGS Character Cast in Bronze for All Time

Unveiled on Friday, 7 November 2025, this new statue is more than a work of art. It is a symbol of the enduring character that has shaped СƵ for 150 years. The ceremony began with the ringing of the School House bell, it’s a sound many current students were hearing for the first time but one that may just have stirred memories for some of the Old Boys in attendance. As Headmaster Dr John Kinniburgh remarked in his address, “Today is a special occasion… one I’ve been…

Read More
Blog Wednesday, 05 Nov 2025

Taking TGS Rugby West: making mates in the Longreach district

Last month, Head of Rugby Lincoln Clapham, TGS Old Boys' Association Vice President, Trent Raymond (1989-93) and two Year 11 boarding students, Luke Burrow (2025 First XV Co-captain) and Archie Smart, travelled 11.5 hours west to Longreach to deliver rugby clinics in partnership with the Longreach School of Distance Education (LSODE) and Western Queensland Rugby Union. Archie and Luke had both been to Longreach before but enjoyed the QANTAS Founders Museum The visit was part of a broader…

Read More
Community Engagement
/
Thursday, 30 Oct 2025

The Modified Rugby Program’s Game-Changing Impact

Founded in Brisbane in 2014 by the not-for-profit GingerCloud Foundation Limited, the Modified Rugby Program (MRP) gives neurodiverse young people the chance to play a sport and their families the opportunity to be part of a sporting community. It also allows coaches and player mentors the very privileged role of helping these young people have what many consider a normal experience - the joy of being part of a team. For Year 12 boarder Will Brown, it is a cause that is close to his heart.…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 23 Oct 2025

When School days become years of Mateship, Growth and Unforgettable Memories

Yesterday’s Awards Assembly for our senior cohort saw lashings of pride, reflection and a time for parents and caregivers to savour the very nearness of graduation after years of growth and grit. As the boys prepare for their final external exams and the much-anticipated Formal, this gathering marked the beginning of their final chapter at СƵ. The assembly featured a moving reel that traced their growth from wide-eyed Junior School boys to confident young men. There were…

Read More
Teaching & Learning
/
Friday, 17 Oct 2025

Japan: A Journey of Discovery, Culture and Connection

For 30 students and four staff members from СƵ, the recent Japan Cultural and Technology Tour was a vibrant tapestry of tradition, innovation and transformation. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, this immersive experience offered students a unique lens through which to view the world. The Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Read More
Stewardship
/
Friday, 10 Oct 2025

TGS Puts Boys’ Online Safety First with Global EdTech Honour

This year, СƵ was honoured at the Global EdTech Awards, becoming the only Australian school to receive recognition in this category of the prestigious international program. While the category - Best Network Manager - may not often make headlines, it celebrates the quiet achievers who empower learning, protect students and enable innovation. Arthur C. Clarke once said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” If that’s true, then network…

Read More
Grammar 150
/
Friday, 19 Sept 2025

Ompelliargo - Episode 2 - School House: A Gothic Revival at the Heart of TGS

School House in 1907 Constructed in 1875, School House is more than just a structure - it’s a symbol of the community’s commitment to education and a cornerstone of the School’s heritage. Designed by Toowoomba architect Willoughby Powell and built by local craftsman John William Garget, the building reflects the Gothic Revival style, a design language that blends classical proportions with pointed arches, intricate fretwork and a sense of grandeur. Heritage architect Ms Stephanie Keays, a…

Read More