Some of the finest young talent across the Wests Tigers Pathways program was on display in an exciting day of rugby league at Leichhardt Oval on Wednesday.
The annual Wests Tigers Challenge saw players from the Balmain Tigers, Macarthur Wests Tigers, and Group 6 regions battle it out in the U13, U14, and U15 age groups.
In the U13 series, Wests Tigers Macarthur took home the shield, with Group 6 taking both the U14 and U15 titles.
The Club’s junior representative coaches then had the opportunity to talk about their respective seasons and present awards to some well-deserved winners.
The day concluded with a great U16s CUBS trial match, which saw the Western Suburbs Magpies walk away as 30-18 victors over the Balmain Tigers trial side.
Players from both sides will now be selected for the Club’s Chris Lawrence U16s Cubs side, which will travel to Ballina to take on the Titans.
The event gave the community a glimpse into the Wests Tigers way, showcasing the talent being cultivated through the Club’s RISE Winter Development Program.
Head of Pathways Bronson Harrison said the day was all about bringing together the Club’s catchment areas for a unique experience for junior players.
“We brought them together to give them their first taste of representative football,” Harrison said.
“For us, it was important to bring them all together in one place, getting to know each other as one Club.
“It’s terrific to get out there and watch all the players, watching them as they grow, get a little bit better, and seeing them as they get to the 13s, picking up the stuff we’re introducing at training. 12 months later, when they join the U14s, you see them grow, and the same again with the U15s.”
Wests Tigers CEO Shaun Mielekamp is proud of everything that went into the successful day.
“The Wests Tigers Challenge is a key part of our Pathways calendar, and it really does symbolise everything we stand for, to see so many kids on display in our catchment, showcasing their skills and being under the view of the coaching staff here was truly a tremendous day,” Mielekamp said.
“It was really important that the whole Club understands that this is a core part of who we are and what we do. Whether you're a staff member, a Board member, a parent, or a volunteer, we were all there together as part of the Wests Tigers family, and I really wanted everybody to feel that.
“This is just the start. We've got a lot of work to do here, and we're on a journey to make this the best rugby league pathway in the world.”
