Sport
9 June, 2022
Hawkins puts best foot forward
STANLEY River Wolves rugby league junior Brady Hawkins was in two wins from two games for the Sunshine Coast in the recent 14- 15 years State Schoolboys Championships on the Gold Coast.
It was Hawkins’ (pictured) first taste of representative football, although he took part last year in the Sunshine Coast Falcons RISE program which provides a pathway beyond community rugby league for aspiring players.
Since March this year, Hawkins has taken part in the Dolphins junior development program with a goal to play in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Stanley River Wolves club president Mary- Anne Hallam said Hawkins ‘always put in 100 percent’, and it was great to see him rewarded with representative honours.
Unfortunately the first two days were cancelled due to wet conditions, which Hawkins said was very disappointing although the boys were grateful to the organisers for arranging the games that were played.
Conditions were overcast while there was light rain, as Sunshine Coast defeated Peninsula 24-12 on day three before winning 4-0 against Capricornia on the final day.
Hawkins, who said his preferred position was five-eighth or fullback, started on the wing in both of Sunshine Coast’s fixtures before moving to fullback and halfback.
The Stanley River player put in two solid performances, including good talk and a fine defensive effort in the second game when he was at fullback.
“It was very enjoyable to meet new people and improve my skills by playing with other boys that are the same level of skill as me,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins and his parents said the standard of football was very high and enjoyable to watch.
“The basic skills were to a higher level in comparison to club football as many of the boys participate in Rugby League Excellence programs through school,” they said.
Hawkins returned to playing regular club football for the Wolves U15s last Friday, and lined up at five-eighth as he captained the side in a loss to Caloundra at Caloundra.
Hawkins plans to play out the remainder of the season for the Wolves U15s while fulfilling his commitments with the Dolphins.
The junior development program involves attending skills development sessions at the Sunshine Coast University.
Aiming to progress to NRL ranks, Hawkins said he was grateful to the Dolphins for his inclusion in the development squad.
