Two students from The Armidale School will be mixing it with the best from schoolboy rugby this week, having been selected for GPS duties.
Ben Hamparsum of Currabubula will start as loose head prop and Nicholas Makeham from Walcha is expected to get a run from the bench in the centres, when the duo take to the field for GPS White against GPS Blue at St Joseph’s College this morning.
Team lists were announced on Saturday night for the combined GPS 1, GPS 2 and GPS White and Blue teams, which comprise the best players from the nine schools in the GPS rugby competition. Following today’s match, GPS White will then play NSW Under 18s 2 (selected through NSWJRU clubs), at Boronia Park Hunters Hill on Thursday.
The pair are being hosted by The Scots College during their week of duties.
“We should go reasonably well, today will be a really good opportunity for the team to gel,” said Ben, who was also selected for GPS White last year.
“It’s a massive opportunity for all the players and for us from the country, to meet new boys in the GPS competition, give things a red-hot crack on the paddock and have a bit of fun.”
Nicholas said he was optimistic about getting a good amount of time on the field.
“Training has been a lot faster than TAS and the skill level is very high. It’s fairly confronting taking to the field with a bunch of boys you don’t know, but it will be good to give it a hard go – I just want to do the best for myself, TAS and the team,” he said.
TAS teacher and Combined AAGPS selector Mr David Drain said it was wonderful for the boys to be part of the GPS pathway and play on the paddock with some of the best young schoolboys in the country.
“The experience sets the boys up well for the remainder of the season’s fixtures, gives them insights into the quality and speed of play at the next level and also opens up opportunities for rugby post TAS,” he said.
