NRL Dream reality TV series to kick off
Article from: The Courier-Mail
Andrew Webster
August 14, 2009 12:00am
RUGBY league often resembles a soap opera - now it's taking on reality TV in a series described as a mixture of Australian Idol, Survivor and Big Brother .
In a week in which the game's reputation has been trashed because of the Greg Inglis saga, filming is about to start on a 14-part series.
NRL Dream will give aspiring players aged from 17 to 25 a shot at the big-time.
Auditions will soon be held around the country and in Papua New Guinea, with the eventual winner securing a $100,000 contract with either the Dragons, Roosters, Cowboys, Knights or Titans.
Leading NRL coaches Wayne Bennett, Brian Smith, Neil Henry and John Cartwright are all backing the project. They will help judge the elimination episodes, with contestants completing such tasks as fighting world champion Anthony Mundine for one round and abseiling down the side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Former State of Origin players Ben Ikin, Paul Harragon and Gorden Tallis will also be involved, as well as veteran winger Wendell Sailor.
"There are so many great stories and characters in our game and it takes a lot of hard work to make it to the top level," Bennett said last night.
"I reckon this show they've put together, NRL Dream, will help show people all those things. I'm happy that the Dragons could be part of something that will help remind the fans what's great about the game."
The program is the brainchild of Newcastle lawyers Rob Faraday-Bensley and Andrew Harrison, who have been working closely with Ikin over the past 18 months on the concept.
They have been given approval from the NRL to use its logo and Fox Sports is committed to broadcasting the program.
"We are passionate about the game and we see this as an opportunity for the game and its players to be portrayed in the correct light," Mr Faraday-Bensley said.
"Right now, the game needs some good stories. We believe this is what the show will deliver."
The initial auditions will be held on the Gold Coast and in Tamworth, Townsville, Darwin and Sydney. Judges will also attend the South Pacific Cup in Port Morseby to handpick the potential players.
Because the show is open to players up to the age of 25, it opens the door for journeymen who have continued playing at an amateur level but missed their shot at a professional career.
After a squad of 25 hopefuls is selected, two players will be eliminated each week through a series of physically demanding tasks. The final group of 10 players will then do an arduous pre-season with one of five NRL clubs, and will also play in trial matches.
The winner will be announced at a gala dinner during a live broadcast from Fox Studios next March.
