Sport
16 June, 2023
Snakes league duo relish footy up north
Caboolture Snakes junior rugby league players Emjay McElligott and Patrick Cathcart put their best foot forward as they represented the Sunshine Coast in the recent Queensland Representative School Sport (QRSS) Boys State Championships in Townsville.
Emjay played in the lock position at U15 level while Patrick played in the centres at U18 level.
These two Sunshine Coast teams had mixed results, with the U18s placing third.
Playing in Townsville was a return to Emjay’s origins, after he began his rugby league career for northern Queensland club the Upper Ross Rams about eight years ago.
Emjay said the Sunshine Coast U15s were “pretty familiar of who everyone was and knew each other from playing against each other’s team” in club football.
“This was a really good opportunity for me as I got to play against the hardest players my age in Queensland, and got to see where I was at as of my skill,” he said.
“This tournament was a pretty decent stepping stone because I learnt what parts of my game needed work.”
In addition to the Sunshine Coast U15 schoolboys team, Emjay has also played for the Snakes U15s and Morayfield State High School, and will soon play for Caloundra State High School.
Currently in the Melbourne Storm’s pathway system, Emjay said his goal was to make it as far as he could and hopefully make it to the National Rugby League (NRL) someday.
Patrick, having started his rugby league career at the age of 12, said his main goal was to do something he loved “which is footy”.
Speaking about his time with the Sunshine Coast schoolboys team, Patrick said he was familiar with his teammates from school and from representative football with the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
“Hopefully it could be a stepping stone for me personally, (and) help me understand my own game better and hopefully have other opportunities come from it,” he said.
In addition to the Sunshine Coast U18 schoolboys team, Patrick has also played for the Snakes U17s and A grade team, as well as Redcliffe State High School.
