St Patricks’ student footy players score NQ Cowboys NRL contracts

An up-and-coming high school merger is creating opportunities for school footy talent to score ‘elite’ contracts with a NRL premiership winning team. Read who’s on the list.

​St Patrick’s College rugby league stars Jaxon Purdue and Xavier Kerrisk with Cowboys staff members Glenn Hall (Head of NRL Elite Pathways); Steve Sheppard (Elite Pathways coach); Dane Campbell (Club Recruitment Manager) and Liam Bartlett (Elite Pathways Strength & Conditioning Coach); St Patrick’s and Mercy College sports co-ordinators Chad Buckby and Matthew Paul; newly appointed Mercy College Cowboys Challenge coach Tom Gaviglio and Mercy College Assistant Principal Curriculum Scott McSherry.

Mackay high school students will soon get the chance to train with the best in NRL with a new Elite Pathways model with the North Queensland Cowboys.

It coincides with the upcoming 2023 merger of two Mackay Catholic high schools, St Patrick’s College and Mercy College.

St Patrick’s has signed a memorandum of understanding with the North Queensland rugby league side in the wake of the school’s sporting success.

The school has become one of the best league sides in the schoolboy competition, currently boasting multiple players aligned to the professional outfit.

Seven St Pats players, some of whom are competing at a state level, have now signed development contracts with the Cowboys.

They include hooker Xavier Kerrisk and halfback Jaxon Purdue who will attend a special training camp in December as a part of the Cowboys’ Young Bucks Squad.

St Patrick’s College hooker Xavier Kerrisk during a match against Ignatius Park College in the annual Aaron Payne Cup. Picture: Evan Morgan

The program aims to identify, nurture and develop young talent ready to meet the NRL’s rigorous standards.

An exemplar is Mitchell Dunn, a St Pat’s alumni who transitioned seamlessly into the North Queensland system, ready for next season following a knee injury in 2022.

St Patrick’s alumni Mitchell Dunn during pre-season strength and conditioning training at Willows Sports Complex for the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys 2021 season. Picture: Alix Sweeney

A full-time Cowboys coach will run a specialised league tuition clinic for identified talents.

The coaches can also access NRL sessions and training seminars.

Ignatius Park College against St Patrick's College in the Aaron Payne Cup. St Patrick's Jaxon Purdue. Picture: Evan Morgan

St Patrick’s principal Janelle Agius said she was excited about the Elite Pathways’ impact on the school.

“We look forward to a prosperous partnership with the North Queensland Cowboys for many years to come,” Ms Agius said.

Other St Patricks’ players also signing development contracts include:

Matthew Watts – Year 12
Liam Doherty – Year 12
Kai Simon – Year 12
Will Shears – Year 11
Kayne Smith – Year 11