Kulikefu Finefeuiaki attends gala launch of the Ipswich SHS rugby league program season
Ipswich SHS launched its forever growing rugby league program season with a bang during a gala launch on Tuesday which featured the school’s most recent NRL star, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Australian school rugby league powerhouse Ipswich State High last night launched its rugby league season with a bang at a gala event which included a special guest appearance from Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, one of the school’s more recent NRL players.
Ipswich SHS, overall the nation’s most successful rugby league school in 2024, unveiled captains across all male and female teams on Monday night in Ipswich.
The respective captains are:
Langer Trophy : Xzavier Timoteo
NRL Schoolgirls: Summer Hoet and Orianna Clark
Langer Reserves: Clement Karauti and Lleyton Fotu
Walters Cup: Blake Tikinau (Year 10)
Hancock Cup: Malachi Kirk (Year 9)
Renouf Shield: Cooper Hunt (Year 8)
BBOB: Bentley Tikinau (Year 7)
Year 10 girls: Monaiya-Lee Lilia and Tahli Campbell
Year 9 girls: Kiera Roia
Former captain Finefeuiaki (2020-21), now a star recruit with the Dolphins after starting his NRL career with the Cowboys, was interviewed on stage by Langer Trophy coach Joshua Bretherton, and his story was a source of inspiration for the next generation of players at Ipswich SHS.
Last year Ipswich SHS won the NRL Schoolgirls Cup at both state and national level, while the Langer Trophy team went unbeaten until the last grand final qualifying fixture.
In addition, from years 7-12, Ipswich were the only South East Queensland school to have teams in all male Brisbane Broncos-sponsored Cup competition semi-finals.
This season around 130 girls and more than 230 boys will play rugby league at Ipswich SHS.
PLAYER Q and A
Xzavier Timoteo (Langer Trophy)
What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: In 2023 we won the Langer reserves and I loved when our coach Dorey (coach, Jonathan Dore) ran on against Keebra after we won. He shed a tear.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My mum and the coaching staff, especially in the junior grades because I was not the best when I was young. But they stuck by me.
What were your short and long term goals: Make the U18 schoolboys and make the U19 Origin side.
Orianna Clark (NRL schoolgirls Cup)
What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Winning the nationals last year with all the girls. It was one of the biggest experiences we have had, and to win all three medals was amazing.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My brothers who are younger than me, but they have pushed me.
What were your short and long term goals: Win the nationals again and to play for Australian schoolgirls, and then hit the big girls in the NRLW.
Summer Hoet (NRL schoolgirls Cup)
What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Winning the nationals last year. It took us a couple of years to get there but it was a good team and a great bunch of girls.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My parents who are always there for me.
What were your short and long term goals: Win the nationals again and long term, get on the field in the NRLW.
Clement Karauti (Langer reserves)
What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: I have not been here that long, but just celebrating the wins with the boys.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My parents and coaching staff. And NRL player Shaun Johnson for his skills and footwork.
What were your short and long term goals: To get a grand final win and also play an A-grade game.
Lleyton Fotu (Langer reserves)
What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Moving to Ipswich SHS from New Zealand.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My brother Tre (2022 national championship winnining centre)
What were your short and long term goals: To play A-grade (Langer Trophy).
Blake Tikinau (Year 10)
What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Winning the Year 8 grand final. That was special because the year before it was not so special, but we picked it up the following season.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career: All of my coaches and family. My coaches have been there to listen when I needed them.
What were your short and long term goals: Make the Queensland 14-15s and hopefully make it (NRL) eventually.
Malachi Kirk (Year 9)
What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Playing in the grade 8 grand final when I was in grade 7. We won it.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My coaches and my parents. The coaches help take my game to the next level, while my parents take me to all the games and all the trainings.
What were your short and long term goals: Make Queensland this year, keep playing and make the NRL. To have a strong career.
Cooper Hunt (Year 8)
What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Making it to the finals (Brisbane Broncos Old Boys) last year.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My parents and my brother.
What were your short and long term goals: To make the Team of the Year again and improve.
Bentley Tikinau (Year 7)
What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Playing my very first game. I was very nervous.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My dad.
What were your short and long term goals: NRL.
Monaiya-Lee Lilia (Year 10, girls)
What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: It has been improving in my training, working with my coaches and getting to know new people.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career: Miss Cox and Shalom Sauaso, the way she plays and the consistency in her training.
What were your short and long term goals: Have a stable job and be a coach.
Tahli Campbell (Year 10 girls)
What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: My best moment has just been being with all the girls and the staff members. Everyone is great at supporting each other and being there for each other.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My coach ‘Coxy’. She has influenced all the girls to be the best we can to the best of our abilities.
She told us to keep our heads up high and have a great mind set.
What were your short and long term goals: I want to make the NRLW. I don’t mind which team, as long as I get an opportunity.
Kiera Roia (Year 7-8 girls)
What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: When I first came to school. It was emotional because I got to spend that time with my cousin Shalom Sauasao.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career: God who has played a huge part in my life.
What were your short and long term goals: Better fitness.
Originally published as Kulikefu Finefeuiaki attends gala launch of the Ipswich SHS rugby league program season
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