ASSRL live stream: How a Queensland schoolboys son of a gun is living the dream
He is easily one of Queensland’s most versatile sporting talents, but teenage tearaway Cameron Bukowski is just happy living the dream in a Maroons jersey. How to watch the ASSRL Nationals.
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Queensland schoolboys rugby league hooker Cameron Bukowski has laid an early claim to be the state’s best young sportsperson.
And it’s hard to argue with his accolades.
Aside from being an ace rugby league hooker, Bukowski was earlier this year a First XI cricket centurion and a First XV rugby union captain of the famous Villanova College.
Now he’s pulling on the Maroon in the hopes of driving Queensland to national glory at this week’s ASSRL Nationals.
RE-WATCH DAY ONE OF THE ASSRL NATIONALS
Every match of the ASSRL Nationals is being exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV across all News Corp Australia mastheads. The second day of action kicks off at 9am, Monday, while Queensland’s boys will return to the field on Wednesday.
Over the summer Bukowski scored a sizzling 102 from just 75 balls for Villanova, then in Term 2 he played inside centre and captained Villa’s First XV in the AIC Firsts.
Around this he shone as both a rugby league captain and goal-kicker for Wynnum Manly Seagulls and then played his way into the hotly contested Queensland schoolboys side.
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What a year it’s been for Bukowski.
But the best, it seems, could still be on the horizon for the Broncos-contracted rake.
“It’s obviously been a huge goal of mine to play in the Queensland schoolboys side for a few years,’’ he said.
“In 2020, I got selected in the under 15s Met East side and unfortunately Covid cancelled the carnival.
“Then to last year and a couple of weeks after the Met East trials I tore my syndesmosis in my ankle which ruled me out of the carnival.
ASSRL HUB: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, FULL SCHEDULES, DAILY LINKS
“I remember going to watch the carnival last year and watching some of my good mates playing for Queensland, and realised that that is where I wanted to be this year.
“Lucky enough, I had a decent carnival in Townsville and was fortunate to get selected in the team this year.’’
Bukowski may play multiple sports very well, but rugby league has been his No.1.
“I first started playing league at the age of six at Easts and was coached by Nathan Love and he was great,” he said.
“All my coaches at Easts were great. Lote Tuqiri (dual international) was massive and took us to three grand finals, and Rob Braun, Damien Pratty and Andrew Neave have all had massive influences on me.
“I have some great memories from Easts (Tigers) and still have great mates from there today. Easts have been a big part of my life and I owe a lot to them.’’
As a child growing up Broncos legend Darren Lockyer was his pin-up boy, but appropriately 300 game NRL hooker Andrew McCullough was also someone Bukowski looked up to.
And then there is his father, Gary, who played NRL for Wests Magpies between 1988 and 1991.
“Dad has had a massive influence on my young career so far. He’s always at my games giving me tips here and there.
“Hopefully one day I can reach the top level like he did.’’
While Bukowski has a rich league sporting history in his family, he also comes from a school background - Villanova College - which is steeped in history.
Villanova College is, after all, the old school of elite national, state or NRL skippers - Andrew Slack (Wallabies), Ben Mowen (Wallabies), Chris Simpson (Qld Bulls) and Christian Welch (NRL Storm).
It said everything about Bukowski’s love of his school that the day he arrived home from the state schoolboy league carnival, he drove straight to captain Villa in a First XV clash.
“I’ve made some of the best memories playing cricket and rugby for Villa. Sometimes the league schedule can get really packed and full on so going back to those sports helps me take my mind off a lot of the league stuff that is going on.
“It’s definitely brought a great balance into my sporting life, and I loved playing with some of my best mates.’’
Bukowski said he could not have achieved playing for Queensland without the expertise of his club coach at Wynnum Manly, Jesse Maclean, one of his mentors Steve Kearney (Kiwi legend) and also members of the Broncos Academy like Simon Price and Jimmy Francis.
“The development program there is definitely one of the best in the game and no wonder they have so many successful graduates,’’ he said.
“Off the field I’ve also had a lot of support from Pete Nolan, Joe Wehbe and Anthony Field, who are guiding my footy career and are always checking on me making sure I’m in a good space. I owe so much to those guys, and am so grateful to have met them.’’
Originally published as ASSRL live stream: How a Queensland schoolboys son of a gun is living the dream
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