Logan City mayor Jon Raven and several former One New Zealand Warriors were on hand as the ground-breaking Warriors Inspire Logan programme came to life with a highly successful one-day combine last weekend.
Officially launched in July, the partnership between the Logan City Council and the One New Zealand Warriors has paved the way for an academy to be set up in the rugby league-rich South East Queensland region.
More than 160 eligible registrations were received for the first of many events which will be provided for young athletes from the area.
With the temperature soaring into the 30s, two fields were used to put the big group of 16-year-old boys and girls through a range of tests and drills at the academy’s home base at the Logan Metro Sports Complex.
“The day was a huge success and a great sign of what lies ahead for the city of Logan and for us as a club,” said One New Zealand Warriors recruitment and partnerships strategy manager Liam Turner.
“Mayor Jon Raven was there leading support from the Logan City Council while there was also buy-in from the NRL, our sponsor Ausbuild and, of course, the community for what was a fantastic first activation. Everyone had a great time.
“This first combine was aimed at 16-year-olds and there’ll be many more opportunities to follow as we seek to connect the Logan community to the One New Zealand Warriors.”
Experienced rugby league identities combined to put the young players through their paces at the inaugural combine.
Leading the way was Warriors Inspire Logan football manager Brad Donald, who guided the Jillaroos to two Rugby League World Cup crowns and also coached the Warriors in the Covid-affected 2020 NRLW season.
Former Warriors NRL head coach Andrew McFadden was also in attendance in his capacity as the club’s general manager recruitment, pathways and development.
Warriors Inspire Logan community manager Mark Tookey (Warrior #76) was joined by other former Warriors Grant Young (#41), Clinton Toopi (#66), Vince Mellars (#106) and Issac Luke (#206) plus NRLW Warrior #34 Karina Brown. Club ambassador Kevin Campion (#86) has also been supporting the programme.
Donald said there was healthy talent in both the male and female squads at the combine with about 60 athletes selected to join the academy early next year. There will be another intake of players once the Cyril Connell Cup (under-17 boys) and Harvey Norman under-17s (girls) are completed next season.
- Future events at the Logan Metro Sports Complex include a trial for the Warriors’ New South Wales Cup squad against Queensland Cup side Redcliffe on February 21.
