How Western Sydney produces so many top Australian athletes

Patrician Brothers Blacktown has produced a huge number of NRL stars and are the reigning NRL Schoolboy Cup champions. Football coaches Joseph Tramontana, Noah Meares and Greg Beacroft with Year 7 players from left Tyrone Moeroa, 12, Calvary Luai, 12, and Alexander and twin brother Cornelius Pupualii, 12. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Behind every sport star are coaches and administrators working tirelessly to help local kids achieve their potential. Meet a few of the star makers driving sport across the region.

They’re some of the brightest stars in Australian sport — but what else do Nathan Cleary, Pat Cummins, Ash Gardner and Kyah Simon have in common?

Each athlete learnt to kick, pass, catch, bowl and bat in western Sydney.

But behind every sport star are coaches and administrators working tirelessly to help local kids achieve their potential. Meet a few of the star makers driving sport across the region.

Patrician Brothers Blacktown

The rugby league powerhouse school boasts an impressive alumni who currently play NRL footy — Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, David Nofoaluma, Spencer Leniu, Brent Naden, Daine Laurie and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to name a few.

Patrician Brothers Blacktown players celebrating their win of the 2020 NRL Schoolboy Cup grand final. Picture: Richard Dobson

Last year, “Patties” won the prestigious NRL Schoolboy Cup (NSW) and has featured in five national Schoolboy Cup finals since 2012.

Greg Beacroft currently heads up the school’s rugby league program, alongside coaches Noah Meares and Joseph Tramontana.

Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown Year 7 players Alexander Pupualii, 12, Calvary Luai, 12, Tyrone Moeroa, 12, and Cornelius Pupualii, 12. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Because I’ve been in the job for nine years, I can turn on the televisions, and pretty much every NRL game will feature several boys from our school,” Beacroft said.

“It’s good for the boys at school now to aspire to be like them, it’s a great thrill.”

Beacroft understands better than anyone that players who are supported at school, will excel on the field.

“We want boys to number one focus on their education. We also have great mentors here on staff to give them guidance and direction with learning and wellbeing,” Beacroft said.

“If we tell every kid that they’re going to be an NRL player you’re doing them an injustice, they’re not all going to make it. So we want them to be good people, have great opportunities and be prepared for the rest of their lives as well.”

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