Maroon and Gold on Blue and Gold Turf

Not this year. Kia Tasman SUVs line the street like sentries and the Old Boys’ Oval hums with activity. Whistles pierce the air and drills unfold at pace but these aren’t schoolboys in Blue and Gold stripes - they’re men in maroon and gold. And this isn’t Rugby Union. It’s Rugby League.

The Brisbane Broncos have chosen TGS as their base for the 2026 NRL pre-season, bringing elite sport to the Darling Downs. It’s part of the club’s push to take training into regional Queensland, with open sessions for fans during their camp this month.

Why here? Our campus is one of the most picturesque in Australia, with 21 hectares of heritage buildings and tree-lined grounds, just a kilometre from the city centre. But beauty isn’t the only drawcard. TGS boasts five sporting ovals, a state-of-the-art Sports Centre, eight lit tennis courts and the P.B. Hauser Aquatic Centre with two indoor pools, including a 25×25 metre Olympic-width pool designed for recovery and performance.

There’s a touch of irony in seeing league drills on a campus steeped in Rugby Union tradition. Former Headmaster Hugh Rose was a Wallaby, capped 13 times for Australia between 1967 and 1970. Today’s Headmaster, Dr John Kinniburgh, earned his Rugby Blue at Oxford after playing at Twickenham. So yes, it’s a little jarring to watch Broncos forwards wrestle on turf that usually hosts lineouts and scrums as part of the GPS competition but it’s also worth remembering that several Old Boys have also gone on to represent Australia in Rugby League, proof that elite pathways from Grammar have crossed codes for generations.

For Broncos fans, this is a rare chance to watch the reigning premiers up close. The club broke a 19-year drought last season, claiming its seventh title after a thrilling grand final win over Melbourne. Since its founding in 1988, Brisbane has become one of Australia’s most successful sporting franchises, with seven premierships and a legion of loyal supporters.

The open session at TGS will be held on Tuesday, 20 January from 4:00–5:45pm. The Broncos merchandise van will be on site, but no food or drinks will be sold - so bring water, sunscreen and a hat.

Hosting the Broncos is more than a headline for TGS. It’s a chance for our boys to see what elite preparation looks like: the discipline, the detail, the teamwork. And it’s a reminder that our facilities aren’t just beautiful, they’re built for performance.

So if you’re in town, come and watch maroon and gold cut lines across blue and gold turf. It’s a union of tradition and opportunity and a pretty special way to start the year.