LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Newcastle Knights website has shared the news that some of their junior players have been selected for the Queensland U19 Emerging Squad, a development that signals a promising future for the state's rugby league talent.
Both the men's and women's U19 Queensland Maroons emerging squads have been chosen, setting the stage for a new generation of rugby league stars to shine.
This Sunday, the squads will come together for an emerging planning day, where they will bond as a team and kick off their preparations for what lies ahead.
Participation in the high-performance program is a significant milestone for these young athletes, as it forms a crucial part of Queensland's elite Origin pathways.
Through top-tier coaching and development opportunities, the program aims to shape the future representatives of the state and provide them with the skills and professionalism needed to excel in the sport.
The emerging program is designed to foster excellence in rugby league, giving players and coaches the support they need to reach their full potential.
It acts as a springboard for those aiming to represent Queensland at the highest levels of the sport, setting them on a path towards success.
Darius Boyd, a seasoned Origin player, leads the men's Under 19 squad as head coach, bringing his wealth of experience to the role.
Assisting him are Andrew McCullough and Jesse Maclean, who play crucial roles in mentoring and guiding the young players.
Together, they collaborate with the QRL Performance and Pathways team to deliver a structured and impactful program.
On the women's side, the Harvey Norman Queensland Under 19 team is under the leadership of head coach Maia Tua-Davidson, supported by assistant coaches Mitch Sargent and Matt Sanders.
With a focus on elite coaching and skill development, the program aims to prepare Queensland's best young female athletes for future representative honors and possible professional rugby league careers.