With comparable philosophies towards the importance of academic and sport in education, nine schools formed the Great Public Schools Sports Association in 1918. As a founding member, Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) is proud to be part of the GPS competition and ethos, having achieved a total of 73 GPS Premierships over the last 100 years of sports and activities.
As the most successful Rowing school in the GPS Association, Brisbane Boys’ College has a proud history, claiming 23 GPS Rowing Premierships. The 1993 crew represented the green, white and black, as well as the Great Public Schools Association of Queensland, when they competed in the renowned Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta.
Tennis is BBC’s second most successful sport with six consecutive GPS Tennis Premierships under our belt. The College’s Tennis program was recognised nationally as the Tennis Australia Awards in 2015, when Brisbane Boys’ College was awarded Most Outstanding School.
GPS Volleyball and GPS Gymnastics saw three and four consecutive GPS Premiership titles to BBC in the late nineties and early noughties. 2011 was an outstanding year for Brisbane Boys’ College, claiming the GPS Basketball, GPS Football, GPS Sailing and GPS Tennis Premierships.
The term ‘football’ has referred to numerous codes throughout the College’s sporting history. BBC’s first code of football was Australian Rules in 1914, followed by Soccer three years later. The change was a result of the availability and expertise of coaching staff to Brisbane Boys’ College at the time. By 1920, two years after the GPS Association was established, BBC’s founding Headmaster, Mr Arthur Rudd had adopted Rugby Union until the association changed it to Rugby League. League only lasted eight years in the GPS, with the member schools eventually reverting back to Union.
Despite some incredibly close – and somewhat brutal – matches, a single premiership for GPS Rugby in 1954 remains the Achilles heel for the school. Regardless, Brisbane Boys’ College continues to produce elite rugby players for both codes. To date, BBC Old Boys account for 14 Wallabies representatives, a State of Origin player, and six currently in the Australian or Japan Rugby Union league.
The College’s move from Clayfield to Toowong in 1931 allowed for the future expansion of the Brisbane Boys’ College campus. Today, BBC’s campus boasts a 25m heated swimming pool; 8 tennis courts; a sports complex containing two basketball courts, fully-equipped strength and conditioning gym, and state-of-the-art gymnastics hall; an air-conditioned auditorium with a seating capacity of 700 people; and specialist facilities such as a recording studio and rehearsal room. This is in addition to the school’s three ovals; John Noblett Oval (Main Oval), P&F and Miskin Ovals.
The College’s most recent sporting prowess has seen six consecutive GPS Tennis Premierships, two consecutive GPS Track and Field Championships and a GPS Basketball Premiership and the Centenary Cross Country Championships – the first time BBC has ever won a Cross Country Championships. But it is the unending spirit of the College’s supporters – the green, white and black army – which spurs our athletes to run faster, row harder and aim higher. Their voices and chants of support from the stands, from the banks and from the sidelines ensures the spirit of Brisbane Boys’ College burns bright, long after the final seconds. We thank our member schools for a wonderful centenary of competition, and we look forward to another 100 years of fellowship, rivalry and spirit.
