The call has gone out to all Rugby League players in NSW universities currently plying their trade at their local clubs, to sign up for the state side as there’s a shield to defend.
NSW beat Queensland 16-8 at North Sydney Oval in July 2023 at the annual Australian Universities Rugby League (AURL) Interstate Challenge match, so there’s pride on the line.
AURL secretary Bob Henderson wants players attending any NSW-based university to fill in the EOI (expression of interest) form by Monday 26 August as state side needs to be selected ahead of this year’s annual clash with Queensland at Gold Coast’s Cbus Stadium on 19 October.
“We have around 30 universities in NSW but often our state team is Sydney-centric so we want players attending uni in Newcastle, Tamworth, Armidale, Lismore, Wollongong, from anywhere in the country areas to apply,” Henderson said.
“We are trying to broaden our capture area.
“Players must be enrolled and participating in a university program or leading to a course of study at university, with a current student enrolment number,” he said.
“Most of them are already playing in Jersey Flegg Cup or NSW Cup or the relevant competitions in regional areas.
“We’re particularly keen to encourage our First Nations players currently with clubs in the bush to sign up.”
Once submitted the NSW Board will conduct its due diligence on their eligibility and a squad of 18 will be selected for the 2024 interstate game.
“We received around 40 names last year and we want just as many if not more as we want to build our profile throughout all Rugby League communities in NSW,” Henderson said.
The selected NSW players will come to a number of training sessions at NSWRL’s Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park, where State of Origin and other representative teams prepare.
“That’s a real statement for us because we can expose our university players to that elite environment,” he said.
“It must be so exciting for a young person in tertiary education, perhaps from country NSW, to go and train there and change in the same rooms as the Origin players, use their gym, run out onto the field.”
Following the 19 October match, the Australian Universities side will be named.
Interested players can go to www.metroleaguerl.com.au and follow the link to complete the registration form.
