How Western Sydney produces so many top Australian athletes
Behind every sport star are coaches and administrators working tirelessly to help local kids achieve their potential. Meet a few of the star makers driving sport across the region.
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They’re some of the brightest stars in Australian sport — but what else do Nathan Cleary, Pat Cummins, Ash Gardner and Kyah Simon have in common?
Each athlete learnt to kick, pass, catch, bowl and bat in western Sydney.
But behind every sport star are coaches and administrators working tirelessly to help local kids achieve their potential. Meet a few of the star makers driving sport across the region.
Patrician Brothers Blacktown
The rugby league powerhouse school boasts an impressive alumni who currently play NRL footy — Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, David Nofoaluma, Spencer Leniu, Brent Naden, Daine Laurie and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to name a few.
Last year, “Patties” won the prestigious NRL Schoolboy Cup (NSW) and has featured in five national Schoolboy Cup finals since 2012.
Greg Beacroft currently heads up the school’s rugby league program, alongside coaches Noah Meares and Joseph Tramontana.
“Because I’ve been in the job for nine years, I can turn on the televisions, and pretty much every NRL game will feature several boys from our school,” Beacroft said.
“It’s good for the boys at school now to aspire to be like them, it’s a great thrill.”
Beacroft understands better than anyone that players who are supported at school, will excel on the field.
“We want boys to number one focus on their education. We also have great mentors here on staff to give them guidance and direction with learning and wellbeing,” Beacroft said.
“If we tell every kid that they’re going to be an NRL player you’re doing them an injustice, they’re not all going to make it. So we want them to be good people, have great opportunities and be prepared for the rest of their lives as well.”
Catherine Cannuli
Former Matilda Catherine Cannuli now spends her days at schools, clinics and football games in Liverpool and Fairfield.
She’s also assistant coaching the Western Sydney Wanderers W-League side. Her goal is to grow women‘s football across the region.
“We‘ve already hit record numbers in young females playing the game in the Liverpool and Fairfield region” Cannuli said.
Current Matildas Alanna Kennedy, Kyah Simon and Amy Harrison hail from western Sydney and Cannuli expects more stars will emerge from the area.
Junior Rugby League clubs and districts
In 2019, almost 15 000 juniors played across the Penrith and Parramatta districts.
Western Sydney’s booming rugby league nursery has produced countless NRL stars — Panthers skipper Nathan Cleary represented Brothers Penrith and Eels prop Junior Paulo ran out for the Cabramatta Two Blues.
“If we keep breeding, we’re doing that for the general community, it’s not just for Panthers. It keeps great numbers in the sport and hopefully we the game can keep growing,” said Panthers Juniors General Manager Nathan Mairleitner.
John Aitken
Parramatta District Cricket Club legend John Aitken played Central Cumberland (now Parramatta) at the same time as Richard Benaud.
Aitken has coached at the club for the past 50 years and has played a key role in developing local players — including Australian cricketer Sean Abbott.
“He’s never lost his enthusiasm for the players, drive or love for cricket,” Parramatta DCC President Greg Monaghan said.
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