Junior Pride academy returns to offer pathway to NRL
A program which helped Tully juniors Jake Clifford and Tom Flegler develop into the NRL players they are today is set to make a comeback.
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A program which helped Tully juniors Jake Clifford and Tom Flegler develop into the NRL players they are today is set to make a comeback.
The Pride have resurrected its junior academy system, the Northern Pride Pathways Program, targeting players aged between 13 and 16 to put the next generation of Far North Queensland talent in the best position to reach the NRL.
Successive administrations left the academy system on the backburner, and yesterday football manager Chey Bird said it was time the program, which was a state leader in its prime, was brought back.
“We punched above our weight for a long time, we had some really good quality players advance and secure NRL careers,” Bird said.
“Thomas Flegler, Jake Clifford, those sorts of guys came through our academies in years gone by. It’s a space we went away from, but we know it’s one we have to operate in.”
Stakeholders including the Pride, Cairns Junior District Rugby League and Northern United have been in discussions for months about its return, and Bird said they had developed a model he hoped best suited each region.
“Hopefully we can recreate the production line of high-quality footballers and high- quality young men,” Bird said.
The implementation of the CDJRL and NQ United development squads, along with the NQ Cowboys Academy, have allowed for development opportunities for talented juniors, filling the gap vacated by the Pride.
The Pride program will see squads made in each of the under-13 to U16 groups, along with an U23 squad to meet on a monthly basis.
At least two coaches will be involved with each team, and will rotate across the region.
School holiday clinics will target participation growth while coaches will be invited to personal development days, to further their skills.
Clubs will nominate players and coaches for consideration.
Originally published as Junior Pride academy returns to offer pathway to NRL
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