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2009 Toyota Cup Team of the Year
NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, today said the Toyota Cup has established itself at the most professional junior development pathway in Australian sport as he announced the 2009 Toyota Cup Team of the Year.
Robert Lui (Wests Tigers), Travis Waddell (Canberra Raiders) Kieran Foran and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Manly Sea Eagles), Taioalo Vaivai (South Sydney Rabbitohs) and Siuatonga Likiliki (NZ Warriors) are among the stars of this year’s competition to win selection in the 2009 Toyota Cup Team of the Year.
They are also among the 100 players who have graduated from the Toyota Cup to the NRL in just two seasons as the national Under 20s competition continues to thrive with rising television audiences, a four-year broadcast deal and groundbreaking workplace and education opportunities.
The Toyota Cup’s status as a forum for trialing innovative rules will also continue this weekend with a trial of four-quarter football in the match between the Roosters and Cowboys, following on from trials of the two-referee system and experimental kicking rules in matches last season.
“The development pathway the Toyota Cup provides is the envy of other sports in terms of its professionalism, standard of play and the opportunities it offers for local kids to become local heroes,” NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said.
“It is the only elite junior competition in the country that has national television coverage and each week it gives our fans a preview of who will be the future stars of our game.
“What is also significant is that this competition is helping give young players life skills outside of football through a commitment to education and workplace opportunities unrivalled in other sports.
“Congratulations to the players who have been named in the 2009 Toyota Cup Team of the Year and best of luck to all those clubs competing in the upcoming finals series.”
The 2009 Toyota Cup Team of the Year – voted for by the 16 Toyota Cup coaches – features eight players who have played in the NRL this season, with eight clubs represented in the 17-man squad.
It also features a cross-section of the education and workplace opportunities being undertaken by 98% of players in the competition, including traineeships at Australia Post, as development and community officers, apprenticeships in carpentry, landscaping and scaffolding, plus diploma studies in sport and recreation.
Each member of the Toyota Cup Team of the Year will receive a $2000 education grant in addition to the grants clubs already receive for education and workplace training.
The Toyota Cup Player of The Year will be named during Fox Sports’ telecast of next Tuesday’s (September 8) Dally M Awards at Sydney’s State Theatre, while the player of the Grand Final will receive the Jack Gibson Medal.
“Toyota Cup has once again proven to be more than a fertile breeding ground for talent,” said Mr Soames Treffry, Director, Fox Sports Channels.
“Already names like Daniel Mortimer, Josh Dugan, Jamal Idris and Wade Graham have graduated to become regular first graders this year, just to name a few. If you like plenty of points and pure speed in Rugby League, this competition delivers like no other."
As part of its ongoing commitment to working for the community, Toyota is a dedicated partner of the Toyota Cup Under 20s competition.
Toyota’s Manager of Sponsorship and Promotions, Mr Wayne Gabriel, said that Toyota is thrilled to support young NRL talent in such an important and meaningful way.
“The Toyota Cup is an important stepping stone for young players and Toyota is thrilled to assist in providing this leg up,” Mr Gabriel said.
“What’s important to us is that the competition is not just about on-field activity, but instead aims to develop well-rounded individuals through varied education programs.
“Through their involvement players are equipped with the skills necessary to cope with the pressures and media spotlight placed upon them at the highest levels of the game.”
Toyota is also a proud partner of One Community’s Toyota Monster Raffle, assisting local clubs raise much-needed funds for internal activities, and the One Community Toyota Volunteer of the Year Award, which recognises volunteers who have made a significant contribution to the game.
Fullback:
Malcolm Webster (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Wingers:
Joe Vickery (St George Illawarra Dragons) & Drury Low (Canberra Raiders)
Centres:
Taioalo Vaivai (South Sydney Rabbitohs) & Siuatonga Likiliki (New Zealand Warriors)
Five-Eighth:
Robert Lui (Wests Tigers)
Halfback:
Beau Henry (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Front Row Forwards:
Trent Merrin (St George Illawarra Dragons) & Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm)
Hooker:
Travis Waddell (Canberra Raiders)
Second Rowers:
Jake Marketo (St George Illawarra Dragons) & Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Manly Sea Eagles)
Lock:
Jamie Buhrer (Manly Sea Eagles)
Interchange:
Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles)
Joel Romelo (Penrith Panthers)
Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm)
Daly-Cherry Evans (Manly Sea Eagles)
NRL.COM
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