Melbourne Storm sign partnership deal with Caloundra State High School

A major Sunshine Coast high school has signed a new partnership deal with the Melbourne Storm that will offer students a direct pathway into the NRL.

Caloundra State High School has taken their rugby league program to new heights after signing a partnership deal with the Melbourne Storm to offer senior students a direct pathway into the NRL.

Caloundra’s rugby league program has grown rapidly with huge success since it commenced in 2016 with a number of the school’s top talent already identified as future NRL stars.

The deal offers the Storm another sporting tie to the region through their already established partnerships with the Sunshine Coast Lightning, the Sunshine Coast Falcons and the Tornados development squad.

Former Caloundra High School teacher Chris Lewis is a current player in the 30 man Storm squad since his debut in 2020.

Caloundra High School’s rugby league co-ordinator Craig Monaghan said he was looking forward to the opportunity.

“This partnership is a testament to both parties as we see the opportunities that this will bring to students on the Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas,” he said.

“With rugby league on the Sunshine Coast continually growing, we believe that this partnership will aid in providing an elite pathway for all our young players.

“Being the first Sunshine Coast-based school to be able to offer this opportunity it will enable us to work with the Storm to ensure that together we can create the best possible outcomes for rugby league students to learn and develop themselves as players and individuals.”

Caloundra High Schools top rugby league students include Tully McLellan, Jayden Smith, Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan and Chase Paterson. Picture: Patrick Woods.

As part of the partnership, Caloundra High’s facilities would be used by the Tornados squad and Storm would provide professional development opportunities for the teachers and coaches.

Storm pathways manager Tim Glasby said the new partnership would build on the club’s existing commitments to Sunshine Coast rugby league.

“The Caloundra High coaches have been with our Tornadoes (Sunshine Coast) and Cyclones (Brisbane) development squads over the last 18 months and have proven to be of a very high quality,” he said.

“While it is still quite young, the Caloundra High program has yielded excellent results with two teams promoted to the top tier southeast Queensland schoolboys competitions this year and some exciting young prospects emerging.

“This partnership will provide a range of benefits to both Storm and the students and teachers/coaches of Caloundra High School who now have a direct link to an elite level sporting organisation.”

Opposing Sunshine Coast rugby league heavyweights Mountain Creek High School share a similar pathway with the Brisbane Broncos.