NRL Rugby League Rookie Camp

[Queenslander]

Rugby League Rookie Camp
Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 1:24 PM

Rugby League?s emerging generation of stars will come together for the NRL?s third annual three-day Rookie Camp at Sydney University this Sunday 28 January.

The likes of Jarryd Hayne, Nick Kouparitsis, Jarrad Hickey and Mitchell Pearce will be among the 60 participants nominated by their clubs for the camp, all hoping to follow similar paths to past graduates like Greg Inglis, Benji Marshall and Karmichael Hunt.

Since the first Rookie Camp in 2005 more than 75% of the participants have gone on to play first grade, 12 have played for their country and seven have played in a winning Grand Final team.

This year?s programme has expanded to include four members of the Referees Development Squad and another new component of the camp will see ABC Rugby League commentator Craig Hamilton address participants on mens? mental health issues.

Every aspect of life as a professional athlete, both on and off field, will be covered, including discussions on making the most of media and sponsorship opportunities, issues relating to off field behaviour, dealing with the challenges of suddenly becoming a role model and preparing for life beyond football.

The camp will see influential past and present players pass on advice based on their own experiences (Bradley Clyde, Tim Sheens, Ben Ikin, Laurie Daley, Craig Fitzgibbon, Andrew Ryan among others).

Source: NRL

[Future Star]

I hope Zippy* is there!


*William Zillman

[Capital_Shark]

I hope Zippy* is there!


*William Zillman

You've already got representation from ex-Raiders Brad Clyde, Laurie Daley and Tim Sheens, thats pretty generous ffs.

[Social Loafer]

From memory Toddy went there last year..

Sadly he missed the lecture about not doing burnouts while under the influence.

[Capital_Shark]

From memory Toddy went there last year..

Sadly he missed the lecture about not doing burnouts while under the influence.

In fairness that lecture was at 11am and he was pretty pissed the night before after the substance abuse lecture run over time.

[Future Star]

In fairness that lecture was at 11am and he was pretty pissed the night before after the substance abuse lecture run over time.

:rotflmao:

[Titanium_BD1103]

WOOT look at all The Bulldogs at the Rookie Camp... Jaza, Nicko, Bobcat giving advice..

Should be a great thing for the future stars of the game... lets hope a few GC boys get a chance to go too, which I am sure they will, as it would be a nice experience.

[~Wild Child~]

NRL rookies go back to school

January 29, 2007 12:00


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WESTS Tigers wunderkind Chris Lawrence yesterday looked just like all the other wide-eyed and tentative Generation Next players turning up for the NRL's third annual three-day Rookie Camp.

"I want to get an idea of what it's going to be like playing in the NRL for the next 8-10 years," Lawrence said. "How to look after yourself money wise and learning how to deal with the media and things like that. "I think this camp will really help us with that.

"This camp is also about educating players about dealing with or avoiding situations where we could get into trouble."

Lawrence burst on to the scene last season when the Australian schoolboy star from St Gregory's College, Campbelltown scored a try on debut in the Tigers' 20-6 win over the Broncos in Brisbane in round 21.

Yesterday, he joined the most promising 64 young league players in Australia at Sydney University for a crash course on what life as an NRL player can throw at them.

However, the articulate 18-year-old Tigers' winger, who will also start an exercise and sports science degree at Sydney University this year, already has a strong grasp of his responsibilities as an NRL player.

"As soon as you are a professional footballer everyone is watching everything you do on and off the field," Lawrence said. "Even when there are no cameras around everyone is watching what you are doing.

"It's hard to prepare yourself for that . . . this camp is trying to help fast track the learning curve so it doesn't take making a mistake for a player to realise how to act."

The NRL Rookie Camp will workshop every aspect of life as a professional athlete both on and off the field including alcohol, drugs, gambling, attitudes towards women, cross-cultural awareness and suddenly becoming a role model.

This year's program has expanded to include four members of the referees development squad and another new component of the camp will see ABC rugby league commentator Craig Hamilton address participants on men's mental health issues including depression.

Promising Bulldogs rookie prop Jarrad Hickey views the camp as an NRL survival course.

"When you are out in public there are always little things that go on and this camp will show us how get round them and survive," he said.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...9,21131675-500

[~Wild Child~]

Gallop warns NRL rookies

Dean Ritchie

January 29, 2007 11:00pm


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RUGBY league's next generation was strongly warned yesterday about the perils of booze and drugs, with NRL chief executive David Gallop telling players: "Don't blow your chance."

Sixty rising players, coming from all 16 clubs, were at Sydney University Village for the second day of the NRL's annual rookie camp. Players were addressed on binge drinking, drugs and respecting women ? three of the game's key issues.

Asked for his message to the rookies, Gallop said: "Your football skills have given you a golden opportunity ? don't blow your chance and then regret it. How you are remembered by your time in the NRL is in your hands.

"These are social problems that can lead to problems for our players. They have to get on the right track early before the problems become an entrenched part of their lifestyle."

Players were spoken to by Tommy Simpson, the Souths drug and welfare officer.

"It can be frustrating to be dealing with the publicity it creates for the game," Gallop said.

"But we will never have an incident-free season. The rookie camp is a way of minimising that possibility. It's a major issue in the community and footballers are exposed to these problems so we want to give them greater awareness of the subject."

Kath Albury, a Sydney University academic specialising in gender issues, and Karen Willis, from the NSW Rape Crisis Centre, spoke about behaving around women.

"It is also important to talk about respect for women. That is something the players themselves have embraced," Gallop said.

One player at the camp is Mitchell Pearce, the 17-year-old Sydney Rooster and son of ex-great Wayne.

Wayne, a teetotaller, spoke last night against the use of alcohol and drugs.

"Young players shouldn't feel pressured into doing something they think isn't right just to be part of the crowd," he said. "Drinking is part of Australia's culture but you don't need to drink to be successful."

[Social Loafer]

For the record the Raiders sent:
Bronx Goodwin
Ryan Hinchcliffe
Joe Picker
Marc Herbert.