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<\/p>\n2022 premiership player Brad Close returned home to Mount Gambier this week and paid a special visit to his old school, Tenison Woods College.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe place has changed a fair bit, but I have a lot of memories being back here,\u201d Clsoe said. \u201cI 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.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe USA Basketball Tour was an amazing experience and I urge students to take up this opportunity when it is offered again,\u201d the Geelong premiership forward said. \u201cMy sporting experiences are no doubt my best memories from school.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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Principal David Mezinec also spent time with Close during his visit, discussing the grand final and reminiscing on Brad\u2019s time at the college.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were thrilled that Brad found time in his busy schedule to visit the college,\u201d Mr Mezinec said. \u201cAs 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Mr Buckley has been inspired by Close\u2019s growth over the years and impressed with his professional approach to his sporting career.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was wonderful to welcome Brad back to the college,\u201d Mr Buckley said. \u201cHe\u2019s an amazing role model to our students at Tenison Woods College. His unwavering determination, dedication and hard-working competitive spirit is so inspiring,\u201d Mr Buckley said. \u201cBrad is a great example to our students that your dreams can be achieved even when you live in a regional area\u201d.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething I\u2019ve learnt along the way is that I guess the dream is never really over,\u201d Close said. \u201cIt\u2019s important for the students and aspiring athletes at the college to remember that it is not all about your skill, it\u2019s what you make of your opportunities\u201d.<\/p>\n
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