March 15, 2022
Dolphins officials who dropped into help at junior rugby league skills training in Kingaroy at the weekend were impressed with the roll-up … more than 60 young players!
T.J. O’Neill Oval hosted the South Burnett Rugby League’s first “Beyond The Nest” training session for 2022 on Sunday afternoon.
It was open to all players turning 13 this year, up to age 18.
The youngsters were divided into four age groups to brush up on their skills under the watchful eyes of local coaches and the visiting Dolphins.
The visitors included Dolphins’ strength and conditioning coach Anthony Wood and Academy coach Kurt Richards.
Dolphins’ junior recruitment manager Brian Edwards told southburnett.com.au he was very impressed with what he had seen during the afternoon and how the Beyond The Nest training was being run.
“They’ve done a really good job,” he said.
He was also impressed with the enthusiasm shown by the young players.
SBRL’s Scott Prendergast said the Dolphins have offered their services to the Wide Bay Bulls to show a pathway for junior elite players in the feeder hubs of the South Burnett, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg.
“They are going to assist us with the development of our junior players. It is a wonderful opportunity for kids to be exposed to the NRL,” he said.
The Dolphins, formerly known as the Redcliffe Dolphins, will be competing in the NRL from 2023 under the guidance of super coach Wayne Bennett.
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Sunday’s training was also an opportunity for U13s South Burnett Eagles to practise their skills ahead of the Walker Weekend Challenge in Toowoomba on April 2-3.
But the next really big thing for Beyond The Nest is the massive BTN Development Camp, which was to be held in January until pandemic restrictions upset plans.
It will now take place at Murgon PCYC between April 11-14.
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On Monday, nine South Burnett boys were selected for Wide Bay Schoolboys rugby league teams after school trials held at T.J. O’Neill Oval.
Selected for the Under 15s were Ziggy Pidgeon, Harrison Braithwaite, Dustin Ramke, Tommy Beil and Blake Dynevor.
Selected for the Under 18s were Joe Meikle, Christian Simpson, Tyrell Leedie and Fletch Prendergast.
