How Ignatius Park College partnership can unearth North Queensland Cowboys’ next Kalyn Ponga

Coen Hess declared he “wouldn’t be here today without Iggy Park College” as the Cowboys extended their partnership with the famous Townsville school. Find out what’s so special about the relationship.

Cowboys sign a deal with Ignatius Park College. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The Cowboys have renewed their historic partnership with one of North Queensland’s greatest rugby league nurseries, strengthening the club’s stronghold on the region.

North Queensland hopes to build on a rewarding relationship with Ignatius Park College – the school that boasts an honour roll which includes premiership-winning Cowboys Michael Morgan and Kyle Feldt, as well as Kalyn Ponga, Coen Hess and Tom Duffy.

The Cowboys will provide coaching support and access to high performance facilities and training, as well as using the school to house teenage prospects while they complete their education.

The partnership entered its 13th year in 2025 and Cowboys general manager of football Micheal Luck said it was important to continue the relationship with the school that has produced the most current Cowboys.

“It’s been a fantastic breeding ground for rugby league players into our club,” Luck said.

(L-R Back) Tom Duffy, Kye Connell, Patrick Fanning, Bradley Pilchowski. (L-R Front) Sitiveni Afu, Coen Hess, Harrison Johnstone. Picture: Alix Sweeney

“We’ve been a great beneficiary with legends like Michael Morgan and Kyle Feldt, and at the moment it’s probably the most represented school with, I think, four members of our current top 30 coming out of Iggy Park.

“So it’s been a school that for a long period of time we’ve shared the same values, and they value the same traits in young men that we do here at the Cowboys, which is representative of how many players that are in our squad at the moment.

“Luke Thomson, the principal, is a big supporter of ours, and has been very supportive of initiatives we’ve put in place to try and make better young players, but also better young men.”

Cowboys prop Hess said it was moving to Ignatius Park as a teenager that allowed him to grow into an NRL player.

“I wouldn’t be here today without Iggy Park College,” Hess said.

Coen Hess of the Cowboys looks on during the round two NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, on March 15, 2025, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“I was out in Mount Isa and came across with a dream. Iggy Park provided me with that, and then I got picked up from there.

“I had to grow up pretty quick. I moved over without my family, I lived with Dave Elliott at the time – he was the First XIII coach – and we sort of had to fend for ourselves a bit there, me and two other boys.

“So I learned to grow up fast, which definitely put me in good stead to get into the NRL.”

The partnership has also proved fruitful for the school’s staff, with last year’s First XIII coach joining the Cowboys full time in 2025.

“Just as we’ve seen players come through that pathway, this year we’ve seen the staff element of that as well, where Zeb Kyle is now on our staff,” Luck said.

Ignatius Park College’s former coaches Jaelen Feeney, Zeb Kyle and Tristan Nelliman-Adams pictured in December 2022. Picture: Ignatius Park College

“Zeb was a teacher there last year and coached their open boys program, he has made the transition now into full time rugby league employment. So it’s working just as well for staff as it is for players.”

Ignatius Park principal Thomson said it was important that the school has a strong culture as well as a high-performing First XIII.

“It’s always our hope that we have a strong team out there on the field, but we always keep in mind these boys are students first,” Thomson said.

“We also want to ensure that the key to all good development here is about developing good young men.

“If we get that right, get it right in the classroom and get it right from a personal level as well, the results translate on the field.”

Originally published as How Ignatius Park College partnership can unearth North Queensland Cowboys’ next Kalyn Ponga