Back to school for premiership Cat

Young students get to rub shoulders with AFL hero

2022 premiership player Brad Close returned home to Mount Gambier this week and paid a special visit to his old school, Tenison Woods College.

Close spent a few hours at the college, popping into classes and touring the school grounds with former teacher and local North Gambier Football Club team mate Ciaran Buckley – now the Head of Senior School.

Graduating Year 12 in 2016, Close attended Tenison Woods College for his entire schooling and was grateful for the many opportunities he had during those years.

“The place has changed a fair bit, but I have a lot of memories being back here,” Clsoe said. “I played so much sport, cricket, footy, basketball and even a bit of soccer. There were so many opportunities and so much support in the sports program here.” In 2015 Close travelled to the USA with a group of basketball enthusiasts as part of the Tenison Woods College Titans Basketball USA Tour and this was one of the many sporting experiences that helped shape his passion and drive for sport.

“The USA Basketball Tour was an amazing experience and I urge students to take up this opportunity when it is offered again,” the Geelong premiership forward said. “My sporting experiences are no doubt my best memories from school.”

Some Year 2 and Year 3 classes were lucky enough to have a surprise visit from Close in their classrooms while he was at the college. They had the opportunity to ask questions and even have some personal items signed by the sporting star.

Principal David Mezinec also spent time with Close during his visit, discussing the grand final and reminiscing on Brad’s time at the college.

“We were thrilled that Brad found time in his busy schedule to visit the college,” Mr Mezinec said. “As a student who completed all his education at Tenison Woods College, Brad has a special place in our hearts and we are not only proud of his achievements on the field, but also proud of the self- effacing, team-oriented person he has become.”

Clsoe said Mr Mezinec was his principal for many of my years at Tenison Woods College, so it was great to catch up with him again.

Head of Senior School Ciaran Buckley organised a group of High Performance Sports Program students to meet with Close and have an informal discussion around their sporting ambitions.

Mr Buckley has been inspired by Close’s growth over the years and impressed with his professional approach to his sporting career.

“It was wonderful to welcome Brad back to the college,” Mr Buckley said. “He’s an amazing role model to our students at Tenison Woods College. His unwavering determination, dedication and hard-working competitive spirit is so inspiring,” Mr Buckley said. “Brad is a great example to our students that your dreams can be achieved even when you live in a regional area”.

Close was part of the premiership winning team at North Gambier Football Club in 2016, before moving to Adelaide to play for Glenelg in the SANFL league. He won a premiership there in 2019 and was drafted to the Geelong Football Club in 2020. This year, he played in and won his first AFL Grand Final with Geelong.

“Something I’ve learnt along the way is that I guess the dream is never really over,” Close said. “It’s important for the students and aspiring athletes at the college to remember that it is not all about your skill, it’s what you make of your opportunities”.

HIGH PERFORMANCE STUDENTS: (Above top left) Jacob Salmon, Cayde Watson, Brad Close, Angus Clarke, Ned Skeer & Head of Senior School Ciaran Buckley.

BACK TO SCHOOL: (Above top right) Tenison Woods College principal David Mezinec,ad Close.

THE ULTIMATE KICK TO KICK: (Top left) A lucky Year 2 class were able to have a kick of footy with Brad Close after he made a surprise visit to their classroom.

RARE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AFL HERO: (Bottom left) Brad Close made a special visit to the MacKillop Reception Learning Community to see Liam Queale, who played a young Brad Close in a video produced by the College in the lead up to the AFL Grand Final.

ON THE COVER: Year 3 student Jimmy Crozier receives a signed football from Brad Close.