Toowoomba Grammar School has a unique approach to athlete development that focuses on providing students with the skills, tools and mindset required to succeed in sports and life. At TGS, the long-term athlete development (LTAD) philosophy is ingrained in every aspect of the School's approach to sport and fitness.
The LTAD philosophy emphasises the importance of age-appropriate training and skill development over a long period of time. This approach recognises that athlete development is a gradual process that requires a holistic approach, focusing not just on physical development, but also on mental and emotional wellbeing. The ultimate goal is to create a culture of excellence, resilience and self-discipline that helps students achieve their full potential, both on and off the field.
One of the key components of TGS's LTAD program is its strength and conditioning programs. These programs have become increasingly popular among athletes of all ages and skill levels due to the numerous benefits they offer. The programs at TGS help to build a strong foundation for athletes to grow and develop over time. By incorporating strength and conditioning training into their programs, TGS provides students with an opportunity to improve their physical fitness, which is essential for their overall health and wellbeing.
Moreover, regular exercise and physical activity have a positive impact on mental health, reducing stress, anxiety and depression. By providing students with a structured program of physical activity and training, TGS helps to promote healthy habits and instil a sense of discipline and self-motivation that can carry over into other areas of a boy’s life. This focus on wellbeing contributes to the holistic approach of the LTAD program.
The impact of TGS's LTAD program is not just limited to physical and mental health, it also has a positive impact on students' academic performance. Studies have consistently shown that physical activity and exercise can help to improve cognitive function and academic achievement. By providing students with opportunities to engage in regular physical activity and training, TGS is helping them to develop the cognitive skills, focus and discipline required for academic success.
TGS's strength and conditioning programs are highly attended, with over 100 boys participating in “general use” sessions each week, while over 300 boys attend squad sessions. The School uses a variety of tracking methods to ensure that athletes are training at the appropriate intensity and volume. They use Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and minutes to create an acute vs chronic workload, helping to prevent overtraining or injury due to excessive workload.
Additionally, tracking injuries and nutrition information is crucial to ensure that athletes are getting the proper care and nutrients they need to perform at their best. TGS also emphasizes wellness tracking, encouraging student-athletes to track their sleep, stress levels and nutrition. This helps them better understand the impact of these factors on their overall performance and make informed decisions about their training and recovery.
Testing is also an integral part of athlete development at TGS. Physical literacy tests are administered to all students in Years 7 and 9, providing a baseline score for each student's physical capabilities. The squads are frequently tested to track their progress and identify areas for improvement.
Injury prevention and injury rehabilitation are also critical components of TGS's approach to athlete development. The School recognises the importance of providing students with the necessary tools and knowledge to prevent injuries from occurring, as well as helping them recover from injuries if they do occur. This approach ensures that students can continue to participate in sports and maintain their physical fitness without the risk of long-term injury.
TGS utilises a range of recovery practices, including myofascial release and using the pool for low-impact exercise. Myofascial release is a form of massage therapy that helps to relieve tension in muscles and reduce the risk of injury. The pool is also an effective recovery tool, as it provides low-impact exercise that helps to improve circulation, reduce muscle soreness, and speed up recovery time.
TGS is also excited to introduce their new compression boots, which are designed to aid in recovery by increasing blood flow and reducing muscle soreness. These boots will be available for all athletes to use and are expected to have a significant impact on recovery times.
TGS's strength and conditioning programs are an essential component of our LTAD program, designed to provide athletes with a solid foundation for success. The holistic approach of the LTAD philosophy ensures that athletes are developed over time, with a focus on age-appropriate training and skill development. By tracking workloads, injuries, nutrition, and wellness, as well as administering regular testing, TGS helps our athletes to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. The programs not only benefit students in the short term but also provide them with the tools and skills they need to succeed both on and off the field in the long term.
Latest Blog
Addressing Anger in Teenage Boys
As a community dedicated to the growth and well-being of our teenage boys, it is essential to address the complexities of emotions we experience during adolescence. Among these emotions, anger stands out as a powerful and intense feeling that can influence their behaviour, relationships and overall wellbeing. Untreated anger can lead to a myriad of problems and challenges for our young boys. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the dangers of untreated anger, ways to support healthy…
Study Skills Program
Just as teachers benefit from an understanding of the Learning Sciences in their lesson planning and preparation, so to do students when they are studying for major summative assessments. A survey of TGS students in Years 9 to 12 found that 70% of our boys felt that they knew how to study, with the biggest impediments to study being lack of motivation and too many distractions. The most highly preferred study technique was found to be rewriting notes. Cramming, rereading the text and rewriting…
Developing Teachers Worldwide
I recently had the pleasure of attending the 2023 International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Annual Conference at Westlake Boys High School in Auckland, New Zealand, in my capacity as a Team Leader in the IBSC Action Research Program. Action research is a systematic inquiry conducted by teachers in their own classroom to better understand the impact that an aspect of their practice is having on their students. Each year, 40 teachers from IBSC member schools from around the world are accepted…
Developing a Sense of Belonging for our TGS Boarders
How do we adequately develop a teenager’s 'sense of belonging' in boarding? Head of Boyce House, Boarding, Mr Michael Hall has investigated how 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs' applies to boarding. It is a psychological theory that suggests human beings have a set of fundamental needs that must be fulfilled in a hierarchical order. The theory proposes that individuals must first satisfy their physiological needs before moving on to higher-level needs, such as the 'belongingness' that is so…
Kia Moemoeā – Dream Beyond Limits
A 12-year study has found that boys consistently perform better in an all boys’ school compared to boys in co-educational schools. This was one of several interesting topics presented at the recent International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Conference in Auckland, New Zealand which I attended alongside three of my Toowoomba Grammar School colleagues – Mr Luke Rawle, Mr Dave Klan and Mrs Jessica Galbraith. We joined 600 leading educators from 15 countries around the world for the four-day…
Blue and Gold in the Blood
When Chris Wicks’ (1981-85) son Lachlan was just two days old, Chris proudly strolled across the road from St Vincent’s maternity ward, over Trustees’ Oval and down to the Toowoomba Grammar School office to enrol his firstborn. “I had such fond memories from the School and enjoyed all the opportunities available, particularly participating in sport and learning at such a high level; my sons were going to have the same great education,” said Chris adamantly. Chris was a boarder from Dalby and an…
The Benefits of Repeated Reading
An effective and evidence-based method that can significantly improve your child's reading abilities is repeated reading. Reading proficiency is a vital skill that sets the foundation for academic success and lifelong learning. Repeated reading, a simple yet powerful technique, has been proven to enhance reading fluency, comprehension, and overall confidence. Let's delve into why repeated reading is such a beneficial practice for your child. Research consistently supports the benefits of…
Print v Digital
I recently read an article by Petra Stock, entitled "Streaming Stories: Will Children’s Digital Book Platforms Upend Print", an interesting discussion comparing ebooks and print media and the ways they are being used during and post COVID. Which is better according to the article? Well, there is a clear winner; however, like many things, the answer can depend on the situation. I'd like to break elements of the article down, along with my own thoughts and compare the two. Social…
Striking a Balance
We understand that, as parents, we aspire to provide our children with the best education and opportunities for growth. Within the Junior School at Toowoomba Grammar School, we believe in fostering a love for learning while enabling your son to reach his full potential. In this article, we would like to emphasise the significance of automaticity and basic skill practice in extending your child's learning journey, while emphasising the importance of respecting their individual pace. Automaticity…
