The Steelers junior representative program is in full swing with all four squads well into their pre-season, including field and gym sessions at the Club’s new Training Academy, ahead of their first trial game in early December.
For Tarsha Gale Cup Head Coach Courtney Crawford, it’s not just about putting her U19 girls squad through their paces on the field, recently volunteering her charges to help out at Surfing the Spectrum, a not-for-profit Surf Therapy initiative working to positively impact the lives of Autistic youth and their families by providing free learn-to-surf events.
“Last year we organised a combined training session with the Score Dragons which was a great success,” Crawford explains.
“This year, we had 22 players and five staff members volunteer, and there were 60 participants across the morning.”
But it’s become more than a training exercise for the 26-year-old in her second season at the helm.
“Personally, it’s super close to my heart. One of my closest friends growing up was on the spectrum and wasn’t given the opportunities I was, so I am very grateful to assist in an event like this,” Crawford explains.
“I decided to get the team involved in this activity as it provided an opportunity for kids with autism and their families, an experience they wouldn’t always have available.
“As a team, we have the power to provide and assist in these experiences, so really, it was a very easy decision to be involved in.”
Connecting with community
Crawford believes it is important to develop her players into well-rounded people, not just athletes.
“It’s vital to work hard both on and off the field. Sometimes, players are so focused on doing well on the field that they forget about the impact they can have on the community.
“For us, it is about ensuring we appreciate each opportunity and the power we can have as a team.
While the activity was meant to enrich the lives of others, Crawford believes it also greatly impacted her young squad.
“The girls absolutely loved the experience. From teaching the kids how to surf, building sand castles, and even rolling around in the sand, the girls ended the day with some new best friends and big smiles on their faces.
“One family from North Sydney has even organised to come to a game during the season because their daughter loved the girls so much. It definitely achieved what we set out to do.”
Back to work
With the focus shifting back to the training paddock, Crawford says the squad is shaping up well for upcoming trials.
“We’ve had a big emphasis on getting the basics right and making sure we’re doing everything as a team.
We still have plenty of hard work ahead of us, but everything is going nicely.”
Trial Games
- December 9 v St George Dragons
- January 13 v Canberra Raiders
- January 20 v Sydney Roosters
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Steelers Summer Squads
Lisa Fiaola Cup (U17 Girls)
>>2024 Summer Squad: Kayliah Alvey, Halle Barrett, Koffi Brookfield, Maddy Bullock, Charlotte Campbell, Holly Czornobej, Alex Down, Alysha Eti, Harper Fursey, April Gray, Ella Greatz, Michala Hardy, Charlotte Holland, Arley Hourn, Kate Howle, Tahleena Jones, Tahanni Kaufusi, Kiara Kostovski, Jayda Lalic, Maddison Lewis, Bella Lord, Sibeal McNamara, Halle Muik Hine-waiata, Nahona Ponga, Tahlia O’Brien, Matilda Powell, Bridget Shearer, Holly Sheldrick, Tori Shipton, Skye Spencer, Marli Stevenson, Armani Tanioria, Eliza Taylor, Abby Warren – Bolte, Tanna Watters.
Head Coach: Brad Reh; Assistant Coach: Zachary Ellul
Tarsha Gale Cup (U19 Girls)
>>2024 Summer Squad: Charlotte Basham, Indie Bostock, Ashlyn Breust, Jorja Correia-Kauter, Darcy Eade, Monica Fasavalu Fa’amausili, Rhian Yeo, Anika Green, Bianca Jones, Ella Koster, Sienna Leslie, Brielle Luccitti, Ruby Marshall, Makayla McFayden, Evie McGrath, Hope Millard, Talea Miller, Shayla Moreton-Stewart, Maria Paseka, Herewaka Pohatu, Rangitaiki Pohatu, Kasey Reh, Chelsea Savill, Teagan Smede, Mia Walsh, Bronte Wilson, Sienna Yeo. Head Coach: Courtney Crawford; Assistant Coach: Scott Ashcroft
Harold Matthews Cup (U17s Boys)
>>2024 Summer Squad: Mason Andrews, Axel Antony, Beau Baldock, Jake Bill, Jacob Birta, Jett Brookfield, Luke Butler, Baylee Cooper-Sims, Jake Cunningham, Caden Hooper ,Tayler Humphries, Phoenix Johns, Blake Jones, Kapene Karaitiana, Cruz King, Jack Koster, Ben Levy, Ruben Mayers, Baxter McDonald, Creighton Meafou, Cooper Morrison, Rhys O’Dea, Lexin O’Dea, Flynn O’Mara, Cruz Pimanovas, Likamani Richter, Mace Scofield, Noah Sepulveda, Noah Skippen, Jack Talbott, Zane Timmins, Harley Trick, Aidan Turner, Leeroy Weatherall, Hayden Whatman. Head Coach: Shane Szczerbanik; Assistant Coach: Jake Williams
SG Ball (U19s Boys)
>>2024 Summer Squad: Tyrone Amone, Viliami Amone, Hudson Bailey, Clay Baldock, Bohden Barrett, Lucas Borg, Hayden Buchanan, Dreau Clark, Cuba Cleaven-Vanderlaak, Beau Devlin, Aaymon Fitzgibbon, Malakai Folau, Dextar Grant, Charlie Heidke, Eden Hodges, Samuel Kennedy, Lyhkan King-Togia, Tom Kirk, Tom Knox, Drew Langdon, Isaac Laughton, Letham Manago, Bailey Marks, Daniel Meafou, Lincoln Miners, Ramses Munro, Ashton O’Dea, Seth Pearman, Braith Plecas, Kaide Pratt, Kade Reed, Jackson Rieck, Toby Rumble, Lewis Sargent-Wilson, Jackson Smith, Darnell Te Ahuru, Jarrah Treweek, Lachlan Weir, Harry Wililo. Head Coach: Shaun Timmins; Assistant Coach: Mark Riddell