Georgia Sim latest Clydesdales star to make her first grade debut

A Queensland Cup side has helped three players make their NRL/NRLW debuts over the last month alone, adding to an ever-growing list of players thriving in the region. See what makes the program so special here.

The Western Clydesdales may have only recently returned to the premier ranks of Queensland rugby league, but the club has wasted no time it making its impact felt on the national stage.

The Clydesdales – who service the Darling Downs and South West Queensland region – have played a role in three NRL/NRLW debuts over the last month alone.

The St George Illawarra Dragons’ Lyhkan King-Togia, Sydney Roosters De La Salle Va’a and the Gold Coast Titans’ Georgia Sim all made their first grade debuts recently and all made a name for themselves with the Clydesdales.

Va’a and King-Togia both featured in the 2021 Cyril Connell Challenge side, with the latter also featuring in the Clydesdales’ Meninga Cup team the following year, while Sim was a pivotal member of the inaugural Clydesdales women’s BMD Premiership side this year.

Georgia Sim of the Titans during the round eight NRLW match between the Gold Coast Titans and Newcastle Knights. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Western Clydesdales CEO Shane Sullivan was delighted to see the program’s pathway achieving its goals despite the club only returning to the Hostplus Cup in 2023 and BMD Premiership in 2024.

“It’s a great achievement, not only for the players but also for the programs that we run across the South West,” Sullivan said.

“Georgia is a perfect example of someone coming over from rugby union and making her BMD debut and now her NRLW debut.

“For her to be that first one (to make her NRLW debut after playing for the Clydesdales) just shows what a talent she is and what she displayed through the BMD season.

Georgia Sim runs the ball for the Western Clydesdales. Picture: Ben Hassum Photography

“We had other NRLW experienced players in our squad and she learnt from them but Georgia coming back from having a child and achieving the feats that she has just been sensational.

“To see the two boys (King-Togia and Va’a) go through the Clydesdales junior system and into the NRL and achieving what they have is just amazing and there will be many more stories to come.

Lyhkan King Togia for the Western Clydesdales Meninga Cup team in 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We’ve proven over the years and we saw last year players head to the NRL system out of the Clydesdales Hostplus Cup in the first year and we are seeing the same in the BMD and Hostplus Cup in year two and our junior programs as well.

“Players are getting that opportunity by staying in our region and spending some time here in the Clydesdales system and then getting a chance on the national stage.”

Sullivan believed the influx of players making their first grade debuts will provide a spark for aspiring rugby league players in the region.

“The Va’a boys (Xavier and De La Salle) and certainly Lyhkan as well, his brother is in our system as well and I think the boys and girls see that,” he said.

“The girls would have seen Georgia on Saturday and then come out on Sunday and want to be just like her.

De La Salle Va'a of the Roosters. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images.

“So I think it’s exciting for them and I think it’s a real valuable tool that we’ve got in our arsenal there.”

With several players developing through the system and earning deals with NRL programs despite the Clydesdales’ short history, Sullivan revealed what he believed to be the key to success.

“I think it’s the tradition of rugby league in the region but I also think we’ve got some very good coaches across our pathways programs,” he said.

“There’s plenty of natural talent out there in the South West from Roma all the way through to Gatton.

Lyhkan King-Togia of the Dragons celebrates his try during the round 27 NRL match between St George Illawarra Dragons and Canberra Raiders. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

“We saw that on the weekend with our under-17s trials, there were five boys and two girls teams all competing to make 30 man squads for our Cyril Connell and Harvey Norman under-17s teams and the talent is there.

“It’s just getting them the right coaching and we’ve been able to do that over the last couple of years with the support of the Bulldogs initially and now off our own back we’re able to provide that stepping stone for the players.

“The culture and the training that we’re setting at the Western Clydesdales gives them that opportunity to go onto the next level.”

With the Clydesdales on the hunt for a new affiliation partner, the debuts could not come at a better time to portray what the club has to offer.

Western Clydesdales CEO Shane Sullivan. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“The players coming through our system into the NRL and NRLW are vital and a good advertising tool for us for signing that next affiliation agreement,” Sullivan said.

“We will just wait and see where the dust settles on the expansion and certainly the Western Corridor is a prime spot for one of the next teams to come into the NRL but if that doesn’t happen we need some back up options as well.”

Originally published as Georgia Sim latest Clydesdales star to make her first grade debut