On Tuesday the rugby league community celebrated the 2014 NRL-RLPA Academic Team of the Year.
This year, the Academic Team of the Year had 11 debutants including Brent Tate (Cowboys), David Shillington (Raiders), Jason Nightingale (Dragons) and Jeremy Latimore (Panthers).
There were a lot of other firsts this year, with Aaron Rockley (Broncos) named the inaugural NRL Tradesman of the Year, while Sam Perrett (Bulldogs) and Jerome Ropati (Warriors) were the first players to receive the NRL Pasifika Academic Excellence Award.
Another first was the announcement of the Holden Cup Academic Team of the Year. This shows that the NRL is looking forward and that supporting our players does not just begin once players start playing first grade.
NRL-RLPA Welfare and Education Committee member Mark Coyne said, “Not only are these players a credit to themselves but are also an inspiration to all other young players, showing that they too can balance further studies and a rugby league career.”
If this story doesn’t give you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, then the statistics below should:
The NRL-RLPA Academic Team of the year gives players the chance to ensure that they can continue to contribute to the community once they have finished playing. It gives players the confidence to pursue further study and gives them the resources they need.
To be eligible a player needs to be chosen by the NRL-RLPA Welfare and Education Committee in consultation with NRL Club welfare and education officers. Ryan Hoffman (Bachelor of Business), Tom Symonds (Bachelor of Health Science Exercise) and Jason Nightingale (Bachelor of Business) were other players named in the Academic Team of the Year.
This is such a positive story for the NRL. It shows that we are a sport that not only values players for the contribution that they can make on the field, but also focus on what players can contribute once they have left the game.
This comes off the back of last year’s announcement of a new strategic partnership with the University of Western Sydney that will give players more opportunity to pursue further study once their footballing careers are over.
This new partnership will be the most comprehensive professional athlete education program in Australia, and is a big gold star for the NRL.
Follow Mary on Twitter @Ladieswholeague
gibbo
Guest
I realise that this article is intended to be a paean to rugby league but maybe it is saying more about Australian tertiary education
Crank Yanker
Guest
Tateworm! Destroying the books like a boss.
Parrafan
Guest
Really SuperEel? That is really disappointing considering UNE had just opened up a new campus in Parramatta and was involved in having players sign up. I guess the almighty dollar wins out again.
Happy jack
Guest
So you can get an award in more than one year - doesn't that defeat the purpose.
Corunetes
Guest
I have been watching Rugby League for well over 50 years now and the communication level of the players has never been higher. It is a pleasure to watch players speak eloquently without having to resort to a few mumbled cliches. I see this as an education update that is underway in the game. The players of old didn't have the chances available now.
Chop
Roar Guru
Isn't it a qualification that Holden Cup players must be doing some sort of study in conjunction with their football? It's really good to see players having a plan B in case their League careers don't go to plan for one reason or another.
Corunetes
Guest
Kudos to all involved............
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Great stuff, I'd like to see more players complete there Studies while still playing as opposed to post career. If I were a Club CEO I would stipulate that study or part ( proper ) time work be included in there contracts.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
UNE no longer sponsors the Eels because Unibet signed on as jersey sponsors.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Absolutely.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
So glad that I could help with the warm and fuzzy feeling today! :)
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Great comments crosscoder!
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Much better than having a betting company sponsor right?
The Black Widow
Roar Rookie
Excellent article Mary! This indeed made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I hope that this initiative is expanded and that more players can increase their employment opportunities.
Funny That
Guest
The Truth - The only thing that needs to be dragged into this century are the bigots who make comments like yours. The article itself makes such commentary look like what it is.
ferret
Guest
I was particulary impressed by the percentage of indigenous players attending university. 24% is a great outcome!
TheTruth
Guest
2 from 2 Mary. Yet another great article. It is initiatives like this that will drag league firmly into this century.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
This is an awesome initiative and I hope the NRL expands on it, as it is a great way to help drop the "working class game" tag that limits its potential. I'd like to see a high profile university comp established, perhaps even as a reserve or development grade. I'd also like to see playing scholarships offered to elite courses. This would also be a great way of getting more indigenous, immigrant or even VIC/WA players involved in the game.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I am just old enough to remember more than a few "P.E. Teachers" running around in first grade too.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
LOL! Let's hope many of them have done communications degrees.