Tom, Nate and Junior from Forest Lake State High School’s Rugby League Program of Excellence have excelled in school representative rugby league and touch football this year.
At just 15 years and 7 months old, Year 10 student Junior has played in the 16-18 Years Met West Rugby League team and is one of the youngest players ever to contest the 16-18 Years State Championships.
Year 10 student Tom has played in the 14-15 Years Met West Rugby League team, the 14-15 Years Queensland White Rugby League team, the 14-15 Years Met West Touch team, and the 14-15 Years Queensland Touch team as a shadow player.
Year 7 student Nate has played in the 11-12 Years Met West Rugby League team, the 11-12 Years Met West Touch team, and the 11-12 Years Queensland Touch team as a Shadow Player.
Forest Lake State High School Rugby League Program of Excellence coordinator Billy Vine said the boys stood out not only because of their individual talent, but by their remarkable behaviour as young men.
“All three of those boys conduct themselves as model citizens off the field, as well as playing well on the field,” he said.
“They work hard in class, their academic standards are quite high, and I think that’s a testament to the way they carry themselves.”
Mr Vine said Nate, who had only joined Forest Lake State High School in 2022 as a year 7 student, had a very high skill level and rugby league intellect and would definitely be one to keep an eye on as he progresses in the future.
“Tom reads the game for someone far beyond his years. He’s also instinctive – he’ll come up with plays that many people his age wouldn’t even dream of,” he said.
“For Junior, everything is done at very high intensity. He’s a fierce competitor and he’s just powerful – he probably hits harder than any kid I’ve ever seen at his age.”
Forest Lake State High School’s Rugby League Program of Excellence is offered as a subject for boys from year 7-12.
“The subject has both the practical component, which is the training and physical development, and also the theory component, which can range from sports nutrition to game analysis, and basically how to model yourself as a male in society,” Mr Vine said.
Rugby League Program of Excellence trials for students entering Year 7 in 2023 will take place after school at 3:30 on Thursday July 21 and Monday August 1 2022.
For more information about the program, contact Billy Vine via wvine4@eq.edu.au.
