Three Titans selected in academic teams

The Aquis Gold Coast Titans have had two players selected in the RLPA/NRL Academic Team of the Year and another in the National Youth Competition’s equivalent.

Ryan James and Daniel Mortimer were acknowledged for their dedication shown in balancing their studies with football commitments for a second time while under-20s player Sam Swift, studying a journalism degree, was recognised in the NYC academic team.

Mortimer completed a Bachelor of Education (Physical and Health Education) and is now a qualified PE teacher while James is studying a Bachelor of Business at Griffith University locally, with great assistance from the uni as part of an elite sportsperson assistance program.

Seven debutants including Adam Blair (Broncos), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Kurt Baptiste (Raiders) and Russell Packer (Dragons) were named alongside five two-time winners and a three-time recipient in Ryan Hoffman (Warriors) as part of the 2016 NRL-RLPA Academic Team of the Year.

Dane Gagai (Knights) and Ray Thompson (Cowboys) were awarded Indigenous Leadership and Excellence Awards, with Warrior Ben Henry and Shark Sam Tagataese picking up the Pasifika Award for Leadership and Excellence. The four winners will travel to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to attend lectures, share stories and celebrate their achievements on an international scale.

NRL-RLPA Program Highlights

- 800 of the 1000 NRL and NYC players are currently engaged in further education or workplace training. 

- 21 per cent of NRL and NYC players enrolled in a university degree at the start of the 2016 season

- 40 per cent of NRL and NYC attempted a Certificate to Diploma program with about 15 per cent of these doing a formal trade apprenticeship. 

- Currently 18 academic institutions deliver the NRL's Graduates of League program. The completion rate of all players attempting university courses has continued to increase with 85 per cent of all subjects attempted being passed.

- There have been $600,000 in education grants provided by the RLPA to over 400 different player’s education.

- NRL clubs have provided their players with an additional $2.4 million in educational incentives to engage in vocational pursuits away from football.

- 16 of the 36 players to play in this year’s under-20s Queensland or NSW State of Origin teams were studying at university with the balance doing apprenticeships, trades or vocational experience. 

NRL-RLPA Academic Team of the Year

NYC Academic Team of the Year 

Pasifika Leadership and Excellence Award 

Sam Tagataese - Cronulla Sharks

Ben Henry - New Zealand Warriors

Indigenous Leadership and Excellence Award 

Dane Gagai - Newcastle Knights

Ray Thompson - North Queensland Cowboys