For anyone that is interested, this was in the member update email that came this afternoon.
Wests Tigers Cubs to tour New Zealand
Wests Tigers have announced an Under 18’s Cubs team for a Cultural and Development tour of New Zealand.
The team is a mix of players from this year’s Western Suburbs and Balmain Harold Matthews Cup teams. It will play a match against a Warriors Under 18’s team as a curtain-raiser to the Round 16 NRL fixture against the Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium next Sunday.
Many other Wests Tigers pathways players will also be on representative duty next weekend, at the Australian Schoolboys Championships in Redcliffe.
Wests Tigers NRL players Alex Twal, Jock Madden, Kelma Tuilagi, and Jake Simpkin were hands on last night with the Cubs at a ‘key positions’ training session in Concord.
Twal, who took charge of those in key forward roles, says he was impressed by what he saw, “They are such a talented bunch and being among the best in our pathways, I expected that would be the case. What really stood out for me was how polite and attentive they were.
They were full of questions and it’s obvious they are super keen to learn and become better.”
This club means so much to me so to be able to help the next generation of players is a real privilege. It’s massive.”
The ‘specialist positions’ session was designed by interim head coach Brett Kimmorley. In his role as Pathways Coaching Manager, Kimmorley was previously overseeing the coaching of the Cubs.
He says next week’s tour is about much more than running out at Mount Smart Stadium, “It’s also about preparing ‘NRL ready’ players.”
This is a wonderful opportunity for these young men, and they are to be congratulated on being selected.”
It’s a big trip for the club as a whole and these fellas will learn a lot from the experience.”
Yes, we want them to do well against the Warriors side, but it’s much more than that.”
Experiences like this will help them develop in the Wests Tigers way as good people, not just good footballers.”
Head of Pathways, Matthew Betsey is equally excited about the opportunities being provided to Wests Tigers stars of the future.
“I’m so excited for all the boys involved, whether it be those attending the Cubs tour, or those playing in the Schoolboys Championships,” Betsey said.
“It’s rewarding to see the continued investment in our pathways providing opportunities for these young men.”
Nine of the club’s pathways stars not attending the tour of New Zealand will play at the Under 18’s Australian Schoolboys Championships next weekend, including Western Suburbs Harold Matthews premiership-winning captain, Kit Laulili’i.
Another seven boys have been selected to represent NSW in the Under 15’s National Championships.
Wests Tigers Under 18’s Cubs Team
Cameron Kanaan, Ofele Lene, Wade Zreika, William Craig, Taj’h Colquhoun, Jonathan Ibrahim, Levi Conti, James Folaumoetui, Heith Pritchard, Tony Sukkar, Lachlan Galvin, Jeremiah Leatigaga, Zak Clarke, Alekolasimi Jones, Luke Keppie, Daniel Waqa, Lachlan Bush and Aidan Harb.
Wests Tigers Pathways players - Australian Schoolboys Under 18’s
Jordan Miller, Tom Fisher, Heath Mason (NSW Combined Catholic College), Solomone Saukuru, Kit Laulili’I, Tallyn Da Silva (NSW Combined High Schools), Alex Conti, Lipina Ata (NSW Combined Independent Schools) and Chris Fa’agutu (Queensland).
Wests Tigers Pathways players - Australian Schoolboys Under 15’s
Alex Isdale, Ali Karnib, Peter Ta’ai (NSW Combined High Schools), Onitoni Large, Ashton Large, Heamasi Makasini, PJ French (NSW Combined Independent Schools).
