Dyldam Parramatta Eels second-rower David Gower has been named in the NRL Academic Team of the Year at the NRL’s Community and Player Education Awards overnight.
In its ninth year, the awards honour grassroots clubs and members, teachers and community programs, as well as NRL and NYC players excelling in their educational and community endeavours.
While Gower was named in the NRL Academic Team of the Year, Tyrell Fuimaono was named in the NYC Team of the Year, and the Blue and Gold's own Eels Educate was also nominated for NRL Club Community Program of the Year, an honour that went to the St George-Illawarra Dragons.
NRL CEO Dave Smith said the awards were a highlight of the NRL’s Grand Final week celebrations and an opportunity to publically acknowledge some amazing achievements that largely go unnoticed.
“We have some incredible people who give their all for our game and it’s an honour to recognise so many of them in Grand Final week,” said Smith.
“From our elite players right through to the parents that help out with coaching and manning the canteens, our rugby league community is the strongest it’s ever been both on and off the field.”
NRL Community and Player Education Award Winners:
National Volunteer of the Year: Chris Kirkland, Collarenebri, Country Rugby League
Grassroots Club of the Year: Ellenbrook Rabbitohs, Ellenbrook, Western Australia Rugby League
National Teacher of the Year: David Graham, Palmerston, Northern Territory Rugby League
NRL Club Community Program of the Year: St George Illawarra Dragons – SCORE Dragons
NRL Indigenous Academic Excellence: George Rose and Joel Thompson
NRL Pasifika Academic Excellence: Dene Halatau and Bronson Harrison
NYC Apprentice of the Year: Bradie Smith
NRL Academic Team of the Year:
Club |
Player |
Qualification |
Brisbane Broncos |
Todd Lowrie |
Certificate IV in Project Management Certificate IV in Frontline Management Certificate IV in Small Business Certificate III in Property (Real Estate) |
Canberra Raiders |
David Shillington |
Bachelor of Business – Canberra University |
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs |
Brett Morris |
Diploma of Business Bachelor of Business (Finance) |
Gold Coast Titans |
Luke Douglas |
Associate Degree in Surveying – University of Southern Queensland Certificate IV in Career Development – Australian Trade College |
Melbourne Storm |
Dale Finucane |
Bachelor of Health and Movement – Australian College of Physical Education |
New Zealand Warriors |
Siliva Havili |
Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry) – Auckland University of Technology |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Rory Kostjasyn |
Certificate III in Sport & Recreation Certificate III & IV in Fitness Certificate IV in Frontline Management |
Parramatta Eels |
David Gower |
Certificate IV in Career Development
|
St George Illawarra Dragons |
George Rose |
Graduate Certificate in Commerce – University of Sydney |
St George Illawarra Dragons |
Joel Thompson |
Diploma of Community Services – TAFE Illawarra |
Sydney Roosters |
Sam Moa |
Certificate III in Building & Construction Certificate IV in Career Development |
Wests Tigers |
James Tedesco |
Bachelor of Health and Exercise Science – Australian Catholic University |
Wests Tigers |
Keith Galloway |
Certificate IV in Career Development - Career Development Campus
|
NYC Academic Team of the Year:
Club |
Player |
Qualification |
Brisbane Broncos |
Jack Tuttle |
Bachelor of Business – Queensland University of Technology |
Canberra Raiders |
Lachlan Lewis |
Bachelor of Engineering – Australian National University |
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs |
Brandon Luamanu
|
Certificate III & IV in Fitness Bachelor of Education - Australian College of Physical Education Teacher’s Aide at Dorchester School within Reiby Juvenile Detention Centre |
Cronulla Sharks |
Bradley Deitz |
Bachelor of Health and Exercise Science – Australian Catholic University |
Gold Coast Titans |
Hayden Schwass |
Certificate III in Electrot-technology – Gold Coast Institute of TAFE |
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
Will Pearsall |
Certificate III in Carpentry - Orimbah TAFE |
Melbourne Storm |
Shae Ah Fook |
Bachelor of Applied Science (Property and Valuation) (Honours) – RMIT University |
Newcastle Knights |
Bradie Smith |
Certificate III in Carpentry Established his own Building Company – Bradie Smith Carpentry |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Kieran Quabba |
Bachelor of Education – James Cook University |
Parramatta Eels |
Tyrell Fuimaono |
Bachelor of Business & Commerce – University of Western Sydney |
Penrith Panthers |
Oliver Clark |
Bachelor of Physiotherapy – Australian Catholic University |
St George Illawarra Dragons |
Jacob Host |
Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science – Australian Catholic University |
New Zealand Warriors |
Toafofoa Sipley |
Bachelor of Education – Auckland University |
