LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
The Sydney Roosters have experienced remarkable on-field success in 2025, largely due to their talented roster of rookies.
However, a significant aspect often overlooked is the support from the Sydney Roosters Foundation, which has fully funded their academy entirely through donations from devoted fans.
In 2020, the foundation's Chairman, Nick Politis, drew inspiration from a visit to FC Barcelona's La Masia Academy.
Impressed by the academy's walls showcasing the achievements of its graduates, Politis envisioned a similar model for the Roosters.
He recognized the comprehensive support that La Masia provides its young talents, highlighting how figures like Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, and Pique emerged from its ranks to achieve remarkable success, including multiple trophies in Spain and Europe.
Politis noted, "The strike rate for success at La Masia is incredible." The hope is to replicate that success with the Sydney Roosters Academy, fostering homegrown talent for the future.