How Keebra Park transformed Benji Marshall from band geek to NRL star

If not for Keebra Park and an incredible stroke of luck, the kid from Whakatane’s high school band might never have found rugby league at all.

Jul 29, 2003 : Benji Marshall 18yrs (front) in classroom at Keebra Park High School on the Gold Coast, he is to make RL debut with West Tigers. PicAdam/Ward

The emergence of Benji Marshall at Keebra Park was a turning point for the school’s reputation as an NRL talent factory but if not for a stroke of luck the Kiwi great might never have played rugby league.

Keebra Park coach Glen Campbell was just an understudy to the legendary Greg Lenton when he arrived at the school in 2003, Marshall’s final year.

Jul 29, 2003 : Benji Marshall 18yrs (front) in classroom at Keebra Park High School on the Gold Coast, he is to make RL debut with West Tigers. PicAdam/Ward. / Rugby / League / Qd / Education / Student secondary smiling schoolboy

It was his first ever teaching post but Campbell knew rugby league – and he knew Marshall was something special.

“He had come over to the Gold Coast on a school music tour when he played a game here,” Campbell said.

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“Greg (Lenton) went over to the boys and asked if anyone wanted to fill in some numbers for a game of footy (against the Canberra Raiders SG Ball side).

“Benji put his hand up.”

West Tiger players Dean Halatu and Benji Marshall are pictured at Concord oval playing guitar during a training session. 1/4/04 Picture: James Horan

Marshall had never played league before but in less than 15 minutes off the bench Lenton was convinced.

“Greg marched on to the field at the end of the match and signed up him to come play at Keebra,” Campbell said.

By the time Campbell arrived in 2003, Marshall’s conversion to rugby league stardom was already nearing completion.

Former Keebra Park High student and rugby league player with the Wests Tigers Benji Marshall.

“We played a game of seven-a-side (rugby league) and it turned my head,” Campbell said.

“We had Rangi Chase, the Eastwood brothers Greg and Shane and Benji, all playing sevens and holy dooley we saw some freakish stuff.

“It was classic Benji – he was in his final year and really developing his game.

“His footwork, his passing, his reading of the game and with that talent around him he was incredible.”

Marshall debuted for Wests Tigers midway through Year 12 and by 2005 was an NRL champion.

If not for Keebra Park, the kid from Whakatane’s high school band might never have found his way to rugby league at all.

The Bulletin’s full interview with Keebra Park coach Glen Campbell will appear in Saturday’s Gold Coast Bulletin.