Frequently Asked Questions
TRAINING
WHERE CAN I FIND THE TRAINING SCHEDULE?
Training schedules for GPS Sports are now located on the Sports Portal. These are accurate for the current term’s sports. All students and parents have access to this schedule and are encouraged to check regularly for any changes.
HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK IS MY SON EXPECTED TO TRAIN?
All students are expected to train at least twice a week for their sports. However, some sports may be required to train in addition to this as well. The majority of 1st and 2nd teams will train 3-4 times per week with a mixture of skills and gym sessions. Full details of each sport’s training requirements can be found by clicking on the relevant sport section within this site.
FIXTURES
WHEN ARE FIXTURES FINALISED EACH WEEK?
Each Wednesday, the upcoming sport fixtures are uploaded into the Sports Portal. Team allocations are then completed by coaches on Thursday night and by Friday morning your son’s team allocation and that team’s fixture will be visible to you in the Parent Lounge. These can be subject to change based on cancellations, venue availability so please ensure you check the fixtures prior to Saturday.
WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE LOCATION OF VENUES?
The weekly fixtures will have the venue name but a detailed map of all locations can be found here as well as each school’s campus maps here.
AM I ABLE TO SEE THE WHOLE SEASON OF SPORTING FIXTURES, TIMES AND VENUES?
Due to the nature of the opposition schools we play, we cannot determine how many venues are available or the number of teams across all age groups for a whole season. Total team numbers for schools change throughout the season based on injuries, change of sport etc and by doing a draw a season in advance, changes to team numbers will result in byes and forfeits.
HOW COME MY SON HAS SO MANY ‘AWAY’ GAMES?
We endeavour to balance the home and away games of every team throughout the season. However, there are circumstances related to the GPS draw and venue availability that does not always allow a perfectly balanced draw. The School appreciates feedback from parents if they feel their son’s team has been placed at a disadvantage due to the amount of away games being played.
WET WEATHER
WHERE CAN I FIND CANCELLATIONS FOR SATURDAY GAMES?
Changes or cancellations of fixtures are generally communicated via email, on the Parent Lounge and through the Toowoomba Grammar School App. Although we endeavour to provide as much notice as possible, the nature of inclement weather may mean late cancellations so please ensure you check the above links and the TGS App prior to your departure.
WHEN DO YOU PUBLISH CANCELLATIONS?
The School’s aim is to provide as many sporting opportunities (both weekday and weekend) for the students as possible. We aim to provide suitable and safe playing conditions based on weather and ground conditions and due to our extensive playing venues, can provide venues for games in weather conditions that would otherwise be cancelled by councils etc. However, if conditions are deemed unsafe, cancellation notices will be done as soon as possible. On Saturday’s this is usually 2 hours prior to the match start and for midweek training, at least 1 hour before the final school bell. We encourage all parents and students to check the TGS App and emails prior to leaving their house in case of last minute cancellations. There are extenuating circumstances whereby cancellations will occur just prior to or during a match (lightning, unsafe ground conditions etc) and the School apologises for any inconvenience caused.
RESULTS
WHERE CAN I ACCESS SPORT RESULTS?
Each week, sport results are published via in the respective sport sections of the Sports Portal.
TEAM LISTS
WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT TEAM LISTS?
You son’s allocated team is published on the Parent Lounge first thing Friday morning. Team lists are confirmed by by coaches on the Thursday prior to Saturday fixtures and parents and students are encouraged to check regularly to see any last-minute changes.
I THINK MY SON WAS GRADED IN THE WRONG TEAM. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
The School aims to empower students to take ownership of their sporting experiences and part of this is establishing effective communication between the student and coaching staff. Queries about team gradings, playing time, etc should be communicated between the student and the coach/manager. If a student is not satisfied with this level of communication, they can seek a meeting to speak with the Master In Charge or Director to discuss it further. The School discourages parents from intervening at this level or by contacting the coach, Master in Charge or Director directly. A full outline of conflict resolution in TGS sport can be found here.
REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS & TRIALS
HOW DOES MY SON NOMINATE TO TRIAL FOR TOOWOOMBA DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORT AND DARLING DOWNS TEAMS?
The School supports representative team pathways by notifying students of upcoming trials via email. Emails may target specific age groups/year groups depending on the team parameters. Boys wishing to attend the trials must confirm by completing a medical/permission form (contained in the email) and returning the completed forms to the Sport & Activities Office by the directed due date. As these are external events, late nominations cannot be accepted.
Parents can access Darling Downs and Queensland representative dates via the DD Sport Events Calendar.
CAN PARENTS RECEIVE A COPY OF THE TRIAL EMAILS?
Whilst it can be difficult for students to manage the volume of emails they may be receiving, it is important that they take responsibility for trial nominations. The processes involved in their nomination helps build responsibility and ensures the student takes ownership of his representative pathway progression. If they are selected for a DD Team they will be required to attend the relevant QLD Championship as well as team events and regular training sessions.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOOWOOMBA DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORT (TDSSS) AND DARLING DOWNS (DD) TRIALS?
TDSSS trials are a precursor to DD trials. Selected sports require students to attend TDSSS trials and be successful to earn an invitation to DD Trials. These trials can be held both locally and in the south-east Queensland region.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSPORTING MY SON TO THE REPRESENTATIVE TRIALS?
Dayboys attending the trials will need to be transported by their parents except for DD Championship events (Track & Field, Swimming & Cross Country).
Boarders attending the trials will have transport arranged by the School and be in the care of a TGS Staff Member. Packed meals will be provided for Boarders in the event the trials take place during a designated meal time (e.g. Morning Tea, Lunch etc).
In the event a TGS student is selected for a DD Team, the transport to the training sessions and competition are then the responsibility of the parent.
DO I NEED TO NOTIFY THE SCHOOL OF MY SON’S ABSENCE WHILST HE IS ATTENDING TRIALS?
Yes, as travel arrangements will differ for each family, Parents are required to contact the Student Services Office to advise when their child will need to be released from class. The Student Services Office can be contacted via phone 07) 4687 2653 or via email [email protected].
I COMPLETED THE TRIAL PERMISSION FORM, WHY HAS MY SON NOT BEEN APPROVED TO ATTEND THE TRIAL HE HAS NOMINATED FOR?
Boys attending trials are required to be competitive in their chosen sport. The School will consider their performance prior to approving their attendance at trials. If a boy is deemed to not be at a level that would be considered competitive, the Director of the Sport may choose to decline their nomination.
WHERE CAN I FIND DETAILS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE FOR MY SON TO ATTEND THE TRIALS?
Students attending trials will receive a confirmation email a day prior to the trial confirming times, venues and equipment requirements. Should you have any concerns, please contact the Sport & Activities Office.
MISCELLANEOUS
MY SON PLAYS FOR AN EXTERNAL CLUB/ASSOCIATION, CAN HE JUST CONCENTRATE ON THIS AND NOT GO PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL SPORT?
All students at Toowoomba Grammar School are encouraged to participate in a range of sport and activities. Although not compulsory, most students would participate in sport throughout the year as well as Music ensembles, Drama productions etc. Many students participate in external sporting associations, particularly with those sports that are not currently on offer to students. The School encourages participation in many co-curricular endeavours. However, it is expected that students can balance their co-curricular and academic pursuits and there may be instances where co-curricular participation is postponed until a student’s academic endeavour is of an acceptable standard. If a student elects to participate in a School sport or activity, he is expected to honour that commitment for the entirety of the season. A request to change or cease with a sport or activity must be made in writing to the Director of Sport and Activities.
WHAT DO I DO IF MY SON IS ABSENT FOR TRAINING OR GAMES?
Saturday Absences
Attendance at fixtures and training is compulsory for all boys who have elected to participate in their chosen sport.
In the event of illness, boys/parents should aim to email the Director/MIC and/or coach as soon as possible so replacement players can be organised.
Extended injury resulting in match restrictions: boys are still required to attend Saturday matches to assist and support their team in roles to be determined by the coach and within the parameters of the injury.
Mid-week Absences
If a player has a foreseeable absence (family commitment etc) he should contact the Director/MIC and/or coach (in person or via email) and outline his absence.
If a player is absent from a mid-week training due to illness, he should aim to contact the Director/MIC and/or coach as soon as possible (either before or after the absent day)