Livestream: Ahead of the NRL Schoolboys grand final, we reveal the All Academic Team of 2022 (NRL Schoolboys Cup)
Finding the balance between playing rugby league and study is hard to manage, but these guys seem to have found the answer. And the rewards for excelling at both can be significant.
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When the NRL Schoolboys Cup season got underway, it was hard to imagine these boys as anything other than footy players and possible future NRL stars.
But their interests and talents are not confined to the field.
They are not just high achievers on field, but in the classroom, too.
The NRL Schoolboys grand final between Patrician Brothers, Fairfield and Hill Sports High will be shown exclusively LIVE by KommunityTV on Wednesday
LIVESTREAM: Catch the NRL Schoolboys grand final RIGHT HERE
With the boys at the age where decisions regarding further education and university are made, it’s ever more important to place as much emphasis on academic prowess as it is on sporting endeavors.
And just like one school doesn’t dominate the Peter Mulholland Cup on the field, neither do they in the academic stakes, with only one, Patrician Brothers, Blacktown, having more than one student represented.
The Grange College and All Saints, Maitland, may not have made it to the final stages but they are represented here with fullback Ethan Barlow-Sua and winger Lucas Hickling.
Patrician Brothers Fairfield’s Yehya Ayache, on the other hand, is Schoolboys Cup finalist and while rugby league plays an important part in his life, Ayache places as much time and effort into his academic studies.
However, it is not without its difficulties.
“It is obviously a bit tough to do football and school at the same time,” said Ayache.
“I’ve been tutoring a couple of times to help catch up, stay on task, keep on the right path and to not fall behind.
“There’s a few areas of school and a few subjects that are naturally easier to understand and work through them. But there’s some that I need to put in extra work.
“It takes up pretty much all my time, study and rugby, but I do find times when I can ease off, have free time and do what I enjoy, like going out with friends and hanging out with family.”
Continuing to pursue both areas, Ayache, who played at Parramatta this year, has enrolled to study engineering at the University of Technology in Sydney.
“I’d love to stay in the area and at Parramatta as I’ve been there since I was in under 14s.”
The name Tallyn Da Silva will not only be circulating the NRL world after the Westfields Sports High hooker also earned a spot.
He has been a powerhouse defensively this season and it is clear he matches this effort in class.
The 17-year-old has not made any decisions post-school, but he is certain on one thing - that his future is in sport.
“I haven’t really thought about it at the moment, to be honest. I am looking into sports coaching and anything involved with sports really,” said Da Silva.
Westfields’ key playmaker is currently contracted at Wests Tigers.
Ensuring a good education and rugby-life balance, it is understood the talks to also include details about his education and work outside of footy.
THE ALL ACADEMIC TEAM FOR 2022
1. ETHAN BARLOW-SUA, The Grange College
Outstanding results across all VCAL outcomes. VET sport and recreation certificate completion and Junior Rugby League teams volunteer.
2. LUCAS HICKLING, All Saints Maitland
Lucas is a member of the accelerated Maths course at All Saints’ College Maitland. Has completed the HSC Advanced Mathematics course whilst in year 11.
3. YAHYA AYACHE, Patrician Brothers Fairfield
Yehya is a diligent student who shows commitment to his studies and sporting endeavours. His impressive attendance highlights his personal responsibility and application to his studies.
Yehya has performed outstanding across all his ATAR subjects, achieving a high level and being a role model to the junior players across rugby league and other sporting teams.
4. THOMAS FLETCHER, St Gregory’s College
14th Advanced Mathematics, 4th English Standard, 2nd PDHPE, 1st Place Biology.
College Reader Mass, College Reader Assembly, Boarding Captain, College Show and Sheep team, College Open Day Assistant.
5. TAIMANA ELERS, Hunter Sports High
Pacific Islander Collaboration Group which includes Cultural dance and performers as well as the completion of a school based 8-week program, including engaging with guest speakers and school staff. NRL School to Work participant based on future career and/ or further study after school. NRL School to Work applicant for the NRL Indigenous Youth Summit camp. He attended the leadership camp with 32 females and 31 other males and was chosen as the NRL 2W Youth Ambassador for 2022/2023.
6. CAMERON ROBERTSON, Patrician Brothers Blacktown
High Achievement in Sports, Lifestyle, and Recreation, and Physical Education.
Organises Aboriginal activities at school for younger students to participate in, particularly during Naidoc Week. In 2023 hopes to be studying psychology at university.
7. DYLAN FRAZER, Endeavour Sports High
High achievement in PDHPE, Mathematics Advanced, Business Studies, English and Physics.
Dylan is a committed student and athlete who has balanced academic subjects with Rugby League training commitments. He was a member of the Cronulla Sharks Harold Matthews Cup team that were grand finalists in 2022.
8. ANDREW MUSILO, Holy Cross College
He is the College Captain and on target to achieve an ATAR in the high 90’s with exceptional results in Biology, PDHPE, English and Mathematics. Currently aiming to be a HSC all rounder achieving Band 6 results in every subject.
9. TALLYN DA SILVA, Westfields Sports High
He has a 97% attendance with 0 unexplained absentees. Tallyn is an extremely well behaved student that currently sits in the top 10% in terms of results in all subjects.
10. JAI WILLIAMS, St Dominic’s College
Top Achiever across multiple subjects - Music (drums), PDHPE, Advanced Enligsh, Business Studies.
11. JORDAN FALEONO, Patrician Brothers Blacktown
College Vice Captain, Academic Achiever in Maths and PDHPE, Assisted in feeding the homeless by volunteering on the St Vincent De Paul in Parramatta and Mt Druitt, in 2023 studying for a double degree in Nutrition and Sports & Exercise Science, Assists younger students with study and school commitments.
12. OLIVER SYKES, Farrer MAHS
Currently number 1 ranked student in the school in Extension 2 Maths;Achieved Academic Excellence awards in both Extension 2 Maths and Advanced English; Currently ranked top 3 in the class for all his classes, including Physics, Legal Studies and Modern History; On two occasions this year has received a Black OPAL, an award provided to the student who demonstrates the highest application of effort in the year group; Participated in a number of school and community services throughout the year including the world’s greatest shave fundraiser.
13. BILLY SCOTT, Hills Sports High
High achieving results in Maths, English and PDHPE. Member of the Student Representative Council for all 6 years of High School, volunteering and fundraising for many local and national charities. Referee’s local primary school PSSA competitions each week.
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