James Marriott, Saxon Day and Jackson Kite earn New Zealand Warriors chance
Three Sunshine Coast rugby league talents are ready to take the next step after being signed to an elite NRL club. Watch their video highlights and see what they had to say.
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A trio of Sunshine Coast rugby league players are close to taking the next step in their journey to the elite level after being signed to the New Zealand Warriors 2025 Jersey Flegg (under-21s) Squad.
More than 400 hopeful players registered their interest for the Warriors Jersey Flegg open trial, with just 40 players invited to attend the camp and a further handful being offered various contracts.
Saxon Day (Maroochydore Swans) and James Marriott (Caloundra Sharks) have put pen to paper on one year contracts while Jackson Kite (Beerwah Bulldogs) is currently signed to a train and trial deal.
All three players have risen through the Sunshine Coast Falcons junior representative sides and have played in the local A-grade competition.
With pre-season well underway, see what each player had to say about their exciting selections.
Saxon Day
Day was first approached by the West Tigers but, after informing the Warriors he would be unable to attend their trials, the club were eager to snap up the 20-year-old.
The former Mountain Creek SHS student had been playing for the Maroochydore A-grade side for the past two seasons after taking a step back from his Falcons commitments.
“I was in the Falcons system through Mal Meninga and then Hastings Deering Colts but I took a break midway through 2023 due to personal reasons,” Day said.
“I just continued to play for the Swans and I later had the opportunity to join the Falcons Queensland Cup squad but I wasn’t ready to come back.
The talented front rower continued to standout in the A-grade competition, earning selection in the Sunshine Coast 47th Battalion squad.
“I then made the West Tigers Jersey Flegg Squad and let the Warriors know I wouldn’t be able to make their trials anymore but I was lucky enough for them to offer me a contract straight away as they were very impressed with my highlights,” Day said.
Day said he had enjoyed his opening few weeks in Auckland and was eager for the 2025 season.
“I did find the move quite tough initially leaving my girlfriend and family behind on the Sunshine Coast but at the same time it’s exciting as it’s a great opportunity and a fresh start,” Day said.
“The first weeks of pre pre-season have been tough but I’m getting through it and I’ve also gotten the chance to learn more about my Maori heritage.
“I’ve been loving my time here with the boys as they’re two of the best blokes you could meet and they’ve been killing it so it’s been good having some familiar faces around me.
Day said he hoped to play consistent footy in the Jersey Flegg competition with the possibility of cracking into the Warriors NSW Cup side.
“I’m hoping to achieve to take my footy to the highest level possible by pushing my limits constantly.
“Hopefully doing that takes me to the NRL but I guess time will tell.”
James Marriott
Marriott, who was born in Christchurch, has been a player in the Falcons Mal Meninga Cup side for the past three straight seasons.
“I thought making the wider squad for the open trial was a massive achievement in itself but to play pretty well and get picked up was even better,” Marriott said.
The former Unity College student is a Warriors fan himself and said representing the club colours was a dream come true.
“Training has definitely been tough and the coaches are working us pretty hard but they’re instilling us with a great mindset,” he said.
“They’ve put us through our paces which has been tough but it’s been great to meet the other players and make some new friends.
“Making the move over was a bit of a shock at first too but I’m settling in well and to share the experience with Jackson and Saxon has been pretty special.”
Jackson Kite
The 2024 Falcons Mal Meninga Cup captain has continued to go from strength to strength and is hoping to further impress the Warriors coaching staff during pre-season.
Kite, 19, is currently signed on a train and trial deal but said he was hoping to earn himself a full fledged contract in the new year.
“The last few weeks have been really good, I was able to come over earlier than the other boys and play in a New Zealand Maori tournament before we started training which was a boost,” Kite said.
“I’ve found the move pretty easy because I grew up in Auckland before moving to the Sunshine Coast when I was nine so settling back in with my family over here was easy.”
With two years of A Grade experience under his belt and winning back to back premierships, the damaging second row forward said he was proud of his efforts.
“I feel like it has been a gradual progression for me coming through the grades at Falcons and now moving into the under-21s age group,” the former Beerwah SHS and Caloundra SHS student said
“The first few weeks of pre-season have been really good, all the coaching staff have sat me down to talk about where they want me to be and where I want myself to be.
“Everyone else behind the scenes have been really helpful as well and it’s good to be around James and Saxon who I’ve grown up playing footy with and against.
“From a short term perspective I’m looking to play some really consistent, high level footy in the Jersey Flegg comp and hopefully get a debut in NSW cup.
“From a long term perspective I just want to keep improving my footy and create good habits in this professional environment.”
Originally published as James Marriott, Saxon Day and Jackson Kite earn New Zealand Warriors chance
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