Six-time NRL premiers Brisbane hope a joint venture to establish a high performance junior rugby league academy in one of the city’s fastest growing areas could net them another Israel Folau or even a future Cameron Smith.
The $6.5 million dollar project with partners Logan City Council to build three playing fields and a fully functional gymnasium adjacent to Marsden State High School is slated to be completed by July 2014.
The Logan Broncos Junior Rugby League Academy will have access to almost 4,000 children aged 15 and under playing rugby league.
“There’s no doubt this area produces talent and will continue to produce talent and that this facility will allow us to target elite athletes in the future,” Broncos chief executive Paul White said.
“It won’t guarantee we sign every talented young player who comes a long.
“But it will give us a chance of future-proofing our club to identify and sign the best talent.”
Logan has already produced a number of elite rugby league players including current Bronco stars Corey Parker and Kiwi international Alex Glenn.
Current Queensland and Australian captain Cameron Smith and fellow internationals Lote Tuqiri, Tonie Carroll, Jason and Darren Smith and Bronco turned NSW Waratah Folau are products of the area.
Logan Mayor Pam Parker said sport was one of the keys to keeping the city’s youth off the streets and out of trouble.
The academy could host an NRL pre-season trial in 2015 and could also be used as a training base by touring rugby league sides.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The Broncos skipper tried to stop Joseph Sua'ali'i with one good arm and did a decent job of diffusing the play with the pass…
Jesse Arthars was in hospital receiving treatment for a broken jaw before Friday night’s game was over after a self-inflicted blow in the first…
Deine Mariner was sin binned for this high shot on James Tedesco. Does he have more to worry about?
The Brisbane halfback's horror run with injury has continued with Channel Nine confirming Reynolds tore a bicep against the Roosters.
Even Nine's Andrew Johns and Fatty Vautin had to side with James Tedesco here as Ashley Klein allowed the Broncos to take a healthy…
The Roosters were pinged for a controversial obstruction in Round 4 when Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ran into Penrith's Dylan Edwards, which ultimately saw the Chooks…
