BULLS/DOGS ACADEMY AND CRL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY LAUNCHED AT NGĀ PUNA WAI

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs solidified the club’s commitment to its pathways and development partnership with Canterbury Rugby League via the unveiling of the Canterbury Bulls/Dogs Academy and the CRL Development Academy at Ngā Puna Wai on Sunday.

The Bulldogs also delivered a coach upskilling session and training clinics for more than 60 junior players on a busy day at the home of Canterbury Rugby League.

“To be able to launch an open invite 13s CRL Development Academy, and a 14s and 15s Bulls/Dogs Academy demonstrates a thriving partnership with the Bulldogs – it was a fantastic day,” CRL Director of Football Jamie Lester said.

The morning got underway with a presentation from Canterbury-Bankstown staff Craig Wilson (Pathways and Development) and Fifita Hala (Recruitment Officer) to Evander Tafua, who was identified at the Bulldogs’ clinics at Ngā Puna Wai in November.

Tafua became the first player to sign for the club following the partnership with CRL becoming official. The Sydenham Swans junior, who represented Canterbury 14s in 2023, is set join the likes of Bronson Reuben, Genesis Ah Kam-Sherlock, and current SG Ball stars Sosaia Alatini and Chelden Hayward as Canterbury products in the Bulldogs youth pathways system.

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Wilson then led an on-field session designed to teach local coaches the Bulldogs’ skill development coaching practices. Lester, Damian Mackie, Ben Fergusson, Jarrod Race, Nathan Sherlock, John Tafua and recently appointed 2024-25 Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls coach Joseph Mika took part in the session.

Lester oversaw the 13s CRL Academy training, which 40 players attended, before an official welcome to the Bulls/Dogs Academy and an introduction to the ‘Bulldogs Way’ from Wilson and Hala.

Twenty-six promising 14s and 15s players participated in a combined training focused on skill development, directed by Wilson. The contingent of local coaches assisted in delivering both training sessions.

“I’m really proud to be working with a club that is investing resources into our coaches as well as our players,” Lester added.

“The focus here is about upskilling both our coaches and players in developing the fundamental skills of rugby league.

“The launch on Sunday was just the beginning of the Academy – our young boys and girls will be developing their skills all throughout the year.”