The first steps towards being selected for Indigenous representative games are being taken by 40 Under 16s boys at a joint NSWRL-KARI Foundation camp in Sydney this weekend.
Some of the brightest talent has been assembled for the annual TAAP (Talented Aboriginal Athletes Program), which has returned to the NSWRL calendar following the pandemic.
Players from across NSW – 20 from regional centres like Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Wagga, Leeton, Mogo, Taree, Batemans Bay, Warialda, Quirindi, Dubbo, Gilgandra and 20 from Sydney metropolitan areas, the Hunter and Illawarra – were put through their paces by Indigenous legends including Dean Widders, Nathan Blacklock and Ronny Gibbs.
Newly appointed NRL Indigenous All Stars coach Ron Griffiths was also present, while Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler led several sessions at the Ignite HQ Centre of Excellence.
“Once you hear how for these boys have come and what they’re willing to do, it’s awesome they can come here to learn and train with these facilities,” Fittler said.
“Everyone talks about their natural ability and instinct. And you can see some of these blokes, who when they’re under pressure, come out with these skills. They look like they’re never panicked.
“A lot has to happen being 16 but there’s a lot of skill there too.”
Widders said the three-day camp would lead to a NSW Under 16s Koori team being named to play a Queensland Under 16s Murri team on 28 January in Brisbane.
“This is a massive opportunity for them,” Widders said.
“The lucky kids that get selected in the NSW Under 16s Indigenous team will go and play against Queensland and from there we’ll pick an Indigenous All Stars Under 16s team to play a Maori team.
“The end of the pathway is for these kids to go into NRL clubs to maximise their potential and for them one day to go on and play for NSW.”
Fittler said the key to that trajectory was proper pathways with relevant information.
“You need to keep them in pathways; keep them training at the highest level,” he said.
“With the Indigenous boys today, we gave them information on things like diet, nutrition, recovery and doing weights programs.
“So, if we can get them up to speed that will really help them progress. It’s their opportunity and up to them what they do with that.
“Given there are your Latrell Mitchells, the Foxx (Josh Addo-Carr) and Cody (Walker) – these blokes having a huge impression on the game at the moment – they learn it’s not just about training on a footy field.
“It’s about eating well, being hydrated and focused. It’s about getting all those things right too.”
Several leadership and communication sessions are also part of the TAAP program in addition to the on-field attack and defensive skills.
“While the focus here is making them better players, we also want to make them better people – to go back to their communities and inspire others,” Widders said.
