When it comes to Gold Coast Titans All Schools (GCTAS), Adam Pryde knows better than most what it means to be part of the event.
Having been a student playing at the GCTAS ‘back in the day’ to now spearheading the Cleveland State High School touch football program, Pryde is just as excited as his students for what lies ahead.
The Queensland and Australian touch football representative turned school teacher said there’s not many better opportunities in touch football than being a part of GCTAS.
“The All Schools competition is a very important one for us – in terms of Cleveland’s touch football program All Schools is the number one tournament that the kids look forward to each year,” Pryde said.
“It’s the pointy end of the pyramid, and it’s something that they get excited about from the start of the year all the way through to October.
“It’s one of the biggest interschools tournaments in the world, and to see so many students coming together from right across the state, the country and the world is absolutely awesome.
“I remember when I played All Schools which feels like ages ago now, but I’ve still got mates from back in those days that I look forward to seeing again at All Schools each year,” he said.
With five teams representing Cleveland State High School right across the divisions, Pryde said he’ll be encouraging his team to just enjoy the competition.
“All Schools is just about one of the hardest competitions to win, but we’ve got a few teams that we’d like to think are around the pointy end of the competition,” Pryde said.
“But I think the biggest thing I’m going to remind them of on Wednesday is just to enjoy it.
“There’s always pressure and expectation, especially with some of the bigger touch football schools, that sometimes you just forget to enjoy the experience.
“It beats being in a Math and English class when you get to come out and play touch football with your mates for five days.
“So my words will just be to enjoy the experience, and if you’ve put the preparations in the results will take care of themselves,” he said.
Cleveland State High School will join more than 6000 students set to take part in the 40th annual Gold Coast Titans All Schools event at the world class Gold Coast Performance Centre next week.
The action gets underway on Wednesday 5 October, through to Sunday 9 October.
Catch the action LIVE via the GCTAS YouTube channel – click here.
