Brad Fittler leads scouting as NRL finds Generation Next inside a Central Coast juvenile justice centre
Brad Fittler describes him as ‘an absolute beast’. A new NRL program is going behind the razor wire to uncover talent, and has already landed a kid who thinks he can be better than one of the game’s best at the moment.
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We can tell you only that the kid calls himself “JT”.
As in Jason Taumalolo.
Not because the young Pacific Islander thinks himself the equal of rugby league’s most imposing forward.
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No, the kid reckons he can be better.
Which is why no less than Brad Fittler is now keeping a close eye on him.
Or will be, with moves already underway for the youngster, all fast feet and hulking frame, to join an NRL Pathways program the day he gets released from Frank Baxter Youth Justice Centre.
“Absolute beast,” Fittler says when asked to describe the young man we cannot name.
“He doesn’t boast the same height as Taumalolo, but definitely has the build.
“And in the drills, damaging.
“He wasn’t the only one who looked likely, either.”
While for years the greatest NRL nurseries have been schools such as Palm Beach Currumbin and Endeavour Sports High, News Corp Australia can out a Central Coast facility ringed by razor wire as the newest challenger to that claim.
Located across sprawling acreage in Kariong, Frank Baxter is the first facility of its kind to implement a new NRL program that — dubbed Six Again and supported by NSW Origin coach Fittler — is looking to uncover Generation Next.
Already, three young athletes have been identified as potential talent thanks to the program that aims to prepare young offenders for a new life — and second chance — on the outside.
Earlier this month, NRL staffers completed the first seven-week program inside the juvenile justice centre, where “JT” and two of his mates were identified as players to be integrated into an NRL Pathways program on release.
“So first off, we’ll link the boys with a grassroots footy club,” says Jaymes Boland-Rudder, the NRL head of government and community relations.
“Then get them training at their local PCYC, too.
“And if they’re going back to rural or regional areas, we’ll also let the (NSWRL) area manager know.
“That way we can then explore ways of getting them into an NRL Pathways team.”
Overseen by Steve Meredith, the former Roosters forward now employed as an NRL community manager, the Six Again program uses rugby league to help young offenders integrate back into society.
More than identifying the next Taumalolo, the program also uses footy to facilitate lessons about self-worth and dedication, while also providing a positive community for the teenagers to be surrounded by upon release.
“The rugby league community is incredibly important,” Boland-Rudder says.
“Apart from it helping these kids with social connections, it also surrounds them with people who will encourage making the most of their second chance and discourage reoffending.
“When attending Frank Baxter, we’re always told how many of these kids have NRL posters on their wall.
“Or how the chatter is always about what’s happening in rugby league.
“So we’re also using footy as a tool to teach life lessons — ones that people coming in through other channels could never hope to get to them.”
Enter Fittler.
Apart from being a powerful voice for the Six Again program, the Blues Origin boss is also no stranger to scouting talent in unusual places.
Like in 2013, when he watched Fijian hotel porter Eto Nabuli pick up his bags, he noted the athletic build and – within a blink – had him playing on a wing with St George Illawarra.
Earlier this month, Fittler visited Frank Baxter as part of the program, reiterating key points about making the most of second chances.
Members of the NSW Police force also mixed in with the teens when they played a game of Oztag.
“Which is so important,” Fittler says.
“For a lot of these kids who come from areas like Mt Druitt and Bankstown, this might be their first really positive contact with police.
“So to be part of that, it’s fantastic.
“But so much of the credit should be going to Steve Meredith, who I coached at the Roosters.
“Just a wonderful person, who I’d support with anything he does.”
Still, Boland-Rudder insists the impact of Fittler is enormous, too.
“As soon as Brad walks in, you can see the face of every kid visibly change,” he says.
“You can see them going ‘wow’.
“Not only because they’re getting to meet a NSW Origin legend, but because someone of his standing — a genuine superstar — is making time to simply turn up and have a yarn with them.
“It really reinforces our message of self-worth.
“Proves too that there are people who want to invest in them.
“And for Freddy to have now been able to interact with a guy like ‘JT’ … can you imagine the story if he eventually makes the NRL?”
Originally published as Brad Fittler leads scouting as NRL finds Generation Next inside a Central Coast juvenile justice centre