RUGBY LEAGUE MANAGER’S REPORT
St Marys Rugby League Club is committed to assisting young “Saints” in developing their talent and skills and providing players with every opportunity to reach their full potential and progress to the highest possible level of rugby league.
This commitment has been fortified with the proud appointment of Geoff Daniela to the fulltime position as St Marys Rugby League Community & Development Manager.
Geoff’s role will diversify into coach development, planning and programming the coordination of all St Marys Junior Rugby League initiatives.
Geoff will also provide support to the local NRL Development programs for schools & junior league clubs, to ensure that rugby league maintains strong growth in Western Sydney.
The St Marys Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield teams both featured again in this year’s final series, with the Ron Massey Cup, finishing the regular season in first position, taking out consecutive Minor Premierships!
The Saints Sydney Shield finished the regular season in fourth place and faced off with archrivals, Penrith Brothers in the elimination final. After a promising start the Sydney Shield team couldn’t sustain their efforts and were defeated, ending their season.
The St Marys Ron Massey Cup enjoyed a well-earned rest and were drawn into battle against nemesis, Wentworthville for a position to progress into the Grand Final.
Unfortunately, after a positive start and a narrow lead a halftime, Wentworthville proved too strong and closed out a victory to progress to the Ron Massey Cup Grand Final.
The focus now led to taking on the very experienced Glebe Reds in the “do-or-die” Preliminary Final. After leading 10-0 early in the first half, Glebe finished the period stronger as we went into half-time locked at 10-10. An uncharacteristic error riddled second period from the Saints handed Glebe the victory.
After dominating the competition all season, we ended our campaign extremely disappointed.
Special acknowledgment and congratulations to St Marys Ron Massey Cup players, Anthony Layoun, Anton Iaria, Tony Satini, Christian Crichton, Hayden Bonanno, Jake Butfield and Zac Greene who were all selected for the NSW Men’s City Origin team.
I would like to make special mention to Darren Baker who was appointed coach of the NSWRL NSW Men’s City Origin team.
SAINTS RISING STARS
The Club’s participation in the NSWRL Major Competitions provides all players with the opportunity and provides a definitive pathway to the NRL.
The following Saints have been recognised for their outstanding form during the 2024 season.
- Jarrod Haywood – U18 Australian Schoolboys selection.
- Jake Tago – NRL debut for the Parramatta Eels.
- Liam Ison – NRL debut for the Cronulla Sharks.
- Trent Toelau – NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers.
- Harmony Crichton – NRLW debut for the Wests Tigers.
- Alyah Nasio – NRLW debut for the Sydney Roosters.
- Montana Clifford – NRLW debut for the Wests Tigers
SARAH TOGATUKI – ST MARYS RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB FEMALE AMBASSADOR
In conjunction with our Female Ambassador, we were proud to launch the Sarah Togatuki Female Rugby League Academy.
The first coaching clinic was held at St Marys leagues Stadium and was held specifically for all St Marys female registered players U13 – U18.
The clinic had a strong emphasis on enhancing the core fundamental skills of rugby league as well as getting a glimpse of what it takes to be a NRLW player.
- Well-being
- Gym
- Speed/Agility
- Attack Skill
- Defence Skill
BELIEVE I ACHIEVE PROGRAM
The Believe / Achieve program was rolled out again in 2024. The senior players held a U5, U6, U7 and U8 group training sessions.
The sessions were completed on different nights. The mini players were rotated through several skills and activities run by the senior players.
At the completion of the session, the Ron Massey Cup players presented each player with a football and is another great initiative and way of engaging our junior players.
EMERGING FEMALE SAINTS PROGRAM – EFS
Commenced in 2021, development program to further support our female pathway systems and to ensure the education and development of aspirational female players.
UPSKILLIING YOUNG MEN PROGRAM – UYM
A new initiative designed to provide aspirational junior male players with an avenue to obtain specialised training and education through a complete development experience.
The program will target players within lower tiered divisions, provide them with the opportunity to enter the performance pathway and develop their rugby league skills.
LIVINGWORKS PROGRAM
We have teamed up with YES Youth Employment Services and Lifeline to provide a Suicide Prevention training workshop on Monday 12th August in the Event Centre, St Marys Rugby League Club.
As volunteers, we work with some of the most at risk ages of suicide within our club. If we can equip ourselves to identify the causes earlier, we’ll be in a greater position to support our young men and women.
MINIFIT PROGRAM
Anthony ‘Mini’ Minichiello was a welcomed guest of the Saints and in partnership, rolled out the “Mini-fit” Clinic to all Saints players, aged 5-12 years.
Led by Anthony Minichiello himself, Mini-fit is a great way to encourage health, fitness and wellbeing amongst kids.
Mini-fit is aimed to improve the growth and development of children, educating our young players on the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle.
SCHOOL RUGBY LEAGUE DEVELOPMENT
We have assisted several Schools with their participation and Rugby League development programs. We have also supported the schools with jerseys, equipment and recourses. St Marys North Public School, Glenmore Park Public School and Cranebrook High School have all recently received assistance.
DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE DEVELOPMENT
This year the St Marys Rugby League Club Board very kindly created a budget to assist other Rugby League Clubs in the Penrith district with equipment and resources.
- Colyton Colts: Contributed a $2,000.00 donation towards their rugby league program.
- Western Vikings: St Marys Rugby League Club purchased playing jerseys for their U8, U9, U14 and U16 teams.
- Emu Plains: Contributed a $2,000.00 donation towards their rugby league program.
- NSW Push and Power Rugby League. St Marys Rugby League Club purchased rugby league jerseys for the six-team competition.
- Supported the FTA “From the Area” program with training gear and equipment.
Our Club is renowned for its professional status within the local and wider rugby league community this is due to the remarkable team lead by Rugby League Administrator, Dannielle Back, Community & Development Manager, Geoff Daniela and an exceptional group of volunteers led by Junior League President Peter Bowler and Junior League Secretary Janelle Borg.
To the Club’s Ground Manager, Anger and his team who are dedicated to ensuring that all our grounds are in peak condition, giving Saints the greatest opportunity to prepare and perform on one of the best playing surfaces in the game.
Finally, I would like to thank the Board of Directors and CEO Rod Desborough, for their unconditional support and remaining true to the Club’s commitment to propagate the game of rugby league.
Adam Przybyla
Rugby League Manager