Langer Cup 2020: What you need to know about Keebra Park SHS ahead of school league start
Langer Cup 2020: What you need to know about Keebra Park SHS ahead of the start of the elite schoolboy rugby league competition which begins on July 29
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The sky high standards set for students involved in the Keebra Park State HIgh School rugby league program provide an insight as to why the school has been so successful on the football field over the years.
Firstly, and most importantly, students part of Keebra’s league classes must knuckle down in the classroom.
“The fundamental thing is school first and education, they have to have a VET pathway or academic pathway and that is part of our program,’’ said Keebra SHS rugby league coordinator Glen Campbell.
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Then, once effort in the classroom has been established, to earn a Firsts’ jumper for the Langer Cup is another mountain to climb.
“It is something we push hard, that if you get a Firsts’ jersey, you have really earnt it,’’ Campbell said.
“I have always said, if you don’t earn it then I will play short before I give it to you.
“You find kids break down in tears when they are presented with their Firsts’ jersey, they take it that seriously.’’
And what a league tradition the school has.
Keebra Park has been an NRL breeding ground for decades, with the likes of Jai Arrow, Benji Marshall, David Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika, Corey Norman and Payne Haas just a handful of star alumni.
But what of the current crop?
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Among the players to watch this season will be half Connor Te Kani who has a good kicking game and excellent game management.
Out wider is Trey Peni, a wing-centre Queensland schoolboys representative while in closer to the ruck is the utility Lachlan Adamson, and reliable hooker Blake Mozer who is renowned for competing for every metre.
Campbell said he had a nice blend of returning students mixed with youngsters.
“Most years we try and turn them over and that is a recipe we try and have, to make sure we have juniors coming through,’’ Campbell said.
“To have a straight team of 18-year-olds, you might do well but have nothing with experience behind it.
“We have some talented kids who are only 16, kids forcing for a spot even from year 10.’’
This season the Brisbane Broncos-sponsored Langer Cup, which along with the Aaron Payne Cup (North Queensland) is the elite schoolboy league competition in Australia, will start on July 29.
The competition will be lived streamed by The Courier-Mail and News affiliates, with details coming this month.