The NSW Under 16s Koori team has been named to face the Queensland Murri Carnival Under 16s next month, reviving a contest that has been absent in recent years due to scheduling issues and then the COVID pandemic.
The match is now set for Saturday 28 January at Bill Norris Oval in Beenleigh, on Brisbane’s southern outskirts.
This highly-anticipated game between some of the best Indigenous talent in Rugby League has its roots in work done by Steve “Bear” Hall, who passed away in March 2019.
He held positions within the NSWRL in a career spanning 26 years in coaching, development and mentoring roles with Western Suburbs and the Wests Tigers, as well as the state body.
Hall started the Under 16s Indigenous program in 2003 and was the original NSW team manager.
“Steve’s influence on the growth and development of Indigenous Rugby League players of all ages, cannot be overstated,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“He was tenacious and dedicated to his culture as well as to the game.
“It is such a good thing to see this significant game up and running again because it means a great deal to many people.”
The 22-strong NSW team was named via an independent selection process including former Indigenous NRL players, current Indigenous pathway managers from across the game including the NSWRL, regional representative teams, and the NRL.
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Those named (below in alphabetical order) are players representing both regional and metropolitan groups and divisions from across NSW.
The final part of the selection process was the three-day KARI Foundation-NSWRL Talented Aboriginal Athlete Program (TAAP) held at the NSWRL’s Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park in November.
The coaching staff will be announced in January.
From the 28 January game, further representative honours are on offer as a national Under 17s team will be selected to take on a New Zealand Maori team as part of the Harvey Norman All Stars event in Rotorua on 11 February.
NSW UNDER 16S KOORI SQUAD
Tashiem Abbott, Tyler Abbott, Jace Baker, Jaylen Bishop, Joe Bull, Lori Cosgrove, Tyrell Edwards, Kyson Freer, Glassie Glassie, Riley Hamilton, Brayden Hughes, Matari Kelly, Lochi Moses, Jonah Moss, Brayden Nean, Hayden Nye, Antwone Quinlan-Randall, Nate Simpson, Preston Smallwood, Darcy Smith, Soul, Tuiletufuga, Xavier Williams-Byers.
