Fußball, soccer, footy: the universal sport at TGS

THE 2012-2013 ACADEMIC YEAR has brought a multitude of positive changes to TGS. An obvious change worth noting is the beginning of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for our grade 11 students. The program includes CAS projects, requiring students to obtain hours in the areas of Creativity, Action, and Service. Our Student Council Chair, Gijs, has taken action to the fullest extent with his decision to develop a TGS soccer club.

I’m very glad that this was started because I wanted to create something that TGS can be proud of…[and] it has launched into something more. In fact, I’m very glad it has.

– Gijs

Interest in a soccer club grew into a more formalized venture with the help of interested staff members who offered to serve as coaches. Mr. Cailey, Mr. Martino, and Mr. Garvey have participated in weekly practices that began in mid-September. On Saturday afternoons from 14:00-16:00, the team takes public transportation to a nearby soccer pitch. The location is completely indoors on an artificial turf, which has been key during the occasional rainy weekend. Practices have included both drills and conditioning exercises along with pick-up games formed between teams. It has served as a fantastic outlet for energy, and many of the students have been able to better their skills through such continuous play.

It’s great to see that there are teachers that agree with me in knowing sports are a very important factor; a team is something that TGS was missing and needed to be put in place! All this help from them is greatly appreciated, and it’s great to hear how enthusiastic they are to make the team worth a watch!

– Gijs

Photography by Lindsay Clark

The team has played two games. The first was set against students from the International House (IH), an English language school in Buenos Aires. When only three students came out to play, TGS adapted. The team was split into three and each added a member from the IH. Two teams played for five minutes while a third rested, and they rotated through allowing all teams to be on the field for ten-minute stretches.

The second game occurred during TGS Field Day. The entire school traveled about an hour outside of Buenos Aires to an area called St. Thomas. There was an abundance of activities to do with a football pitch, a golf course, tennis courts, a gymnasium, and an aerobic room at our disposal. The soccer team took to the field and played a match against local students, the majority of whom were from St. George’s school. It was a long, wet, and muddy battle, but TGS came out victorious with a score of 12-10.

The team is now prepping for an upcoming match pitting students against staff, but a scheduled date has yet to be determined. Until then, the team will continue to get together and practice on the weekends, ever-ready for an impromptu match.