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NRL clubs to host talented Indigenous players this week by Tracie Edmondson 28 January 2014
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ourteen of Australia’s most talented non-elite Indigenous players will attend an official welcome at Sydney’s Rugby League Central today (Tuesday) before linking with an NRL Club for the week to experience firsthand what it takes to play in the game’s premier competition. Laurie Daley’s First Nations Goannas players will have the experience of a lifetime this week as “temporary” members of the Bulldogs, Eels, Panthers, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Sharks and Dragons, who will play host to them as part of their two-week build-up to their trial match against the Knights at Newcastle’s Hunter Stadium on Saturday week (February 8). The trial will mark the culmination of the week-long Festival of Indigenous Rugby League being held in Newcastle in place of the traditional Rugby League All Stars which is being “rested” in 2014 post World Cup. Following their NRL Club experience, the Goannas will join the NRL Indigenous Players Camp at the Hunter Valley over the weekend, before heading to Newcastle for a week of training, personal development workshops and community activities ahead of the February 8 trial. First Nations Goannas Induction/ Morning Tea will be held 10.30am today Tuesday,
Star coaches Wayne Bennett and Laurie Daley at the launch of the Festival of Indigenous Rugby League. NRL Image
January 28, 2014 at Rugby League Central, Driver Avenue, Moore Park. Those in attendance will be ARL Indigenous Council Chair, the Hon. Linda Burney MP, ARL Indigenous Council member and Goannas rep, David Peachey, First Nations Goannas Team Manager and Indigenous Team of the Century member, Mal Cochrane, NRL
Indigenous Players Welfare and Education Programs Manager, Dean Widders, NRL Community, Culture and Diversity Interim General Manager, Mark Deweerd, First Nations Goannas Players and NRL Club representatives from Bulldogs, Eels, Panthers, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Sharks and Dragons.
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