Leaders' spotlight: Nev Blair Shield under 17 boys' competition

The last official year of junior rugby league is set to begin in Brisbane this weekend with the historic Nev Blair Shield about to kickoff.

The competition's namesake was a champion of junior rugby league who alongside Frank Lind was a driving force behind the formation of Wests Mitchelton Junior Rugby League, paving the path for players such as Paul Vautin to play for the Maroons.

The under 17 boys' competition will have seven teams in 2024, involving plenty of talented players fresh out of the Cyril Connell Cup statewide competition eager to succeed and enjoy another year of footy with their mates.

Here's what the leaders had to say about the season ahead.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls - Kaide Bowman-Levers

Position: Centre

What are you looking forward to most about this season?

Playing with a good bunch of lads and getting to run the boys out every week

What does it mean to be a leader in your team?

It means heaps to me being able to lead the boys this season. I’ve worked hard for it during preseason and was voted in by the boys, which just shows how much they respect me and I’m willing to do as much as I can this season to prove why I should be leading them out each week.

How would you describe your style of leadership and who has influenced you in that?

When I lead the boys I keep it as positive as I can but when they need their heads pulled in I’m not afraid to tell them either. It’s a very simple style - I work hard for the boys and I know they work hard for the team.

What do you and your team hope to get out of this season?

Obviously we are hoping to win the comp, but the most important thing to us is consistency, just being at every session and turning up every week to play good footy.

What skill have you put the most work into in the preseason and why?

At preseason we’ve done heaps of fitness, but we’ve mostly worked on our defence as we had too many points scored against us last year. During our trials, it went to show it’s helped as we only conceded two tries.

Why do you think your team will succeed?

I think we’ll succeed as we’ve all come together and put the work in and we have a lot to prove this season as last year was a let-down for the team, so we’ll be coming to play each week ready to battle.

Who has been the biggest influence on your rugby league journey and how have they helped you?

Definitely my dad. He coached me when I was younger and hasn’t missed one of my games ever. He’s always here to support me and has developed me into the young man I am today.

Aspley Devils - Izsia Raupita-Harris 

Position: Lock or centre

What are you looking forward to most about this season?

I'm really looking forward to going out there and playing some good footy with the boys, putting some shots on and just having some fun in our last year together.

What does it mean to be a leader in your team?

There's a lot of leaders in this side, which I love, and I'm grateful to be one of them.

How would you describe your style of leadership and who has influenced you in that?

I like to lead by my actions, being respectful, playing hard on the field and playing fair. The people that influenced me are my parents.

What do you and your team hope to get out of this season?

It would be nice to win, even make the finals or even win the grand final, but just go out there and go have fun and playing footy with the boys.

What skill have you put the most work into in the preseason and why?

I've been working on my strength and conditioning on the offseason so I can improve myself and play some good footy.

Why do you think your team will succeed?

At Aspley, we pride ourselves on have a lot of 'mana' and that's what's going to lead us to success.

Who has been the biggest influence on your rugby league journey and how have they helped you?

My biggest influence is my mum because she's always been pushing me to get through things. It just shows my mum wants me to go far in footy and succeed.

Souths Juniors Magpies - Mace Andrews

Position: Prop or lock

What are you looking forward to most about this season?

I’m looking most forward to playing with my mates, because as kids, playing with them, we take it for granted.

What does it mean to be a leader in your team?

Being a leader of this team means a lot, but doesn’t come without the help of your teammates and mentors around you.

What skill have you put the most work into in the preseason and why?

The skill set I have worked on in the preseason is catch-pass, because you can never get bored of the basics.

Why do you think your team will succeed?

I think our team will succeed because majority of us have played with each other since under 6s and we have that strong connection not only on the field but off the field and everyone’s come into this season with a strong mindset and all on the same page.

Who has been the biggest influence on your rugby league journey and how have they helped you?

The biggest influence has been my brother because he also played footy and growing up, he’s learnt his lessons and had injuries, so he’s helped guide me and keep me grounded, but he’s also taught me the little things like my eating habits and how important sleep is.

Norths Juniors - Kobi Floro

Position: Prop

What are you looking forward to most about this season?

Playing with my mates that we've played together since under 10s.

What does it mean to be a leader in your team?

We have a solid group of leaders in our side and to be a part of that group is an honour. We are truly a team where no player is above another. 

How would you describe your style of leadership and who has influenced you in that?

I lead by action and talk as much as a captain has to, influenced by my coach and dad.

What do you and your team hope to get out of this season?

That we enjoy the time, because it could be our last season playing together. 

What skill have you put the most work into in the preseason and why?

Weights and fitness to improve my game.

Why do you think your team will succeed?

We've made it our team goal to win this last one for our coach and support people, parents and fans.

Who has been the biggest influence on your rugby league journey and how have they helped you?

Our coach Jason Kearney. We've made three consecutive grand finals since he started coaching us. He stays calm and explains things and is easy to go talk to if we need advice or tells us how it is.

Redcliffe Dolphins Juniors - Kye Hardie

 

Position: Halfback

What are you looking forward to most about this season?

This season I am looking forward to playing high quality football with dedicated coaching staff and bringing out the best of my abilities, not only in myself but also within my team.

What does it mean to be a leader in your team?

Being a leader to me means I have the privilege to wear my Redcliffe jersey with pride and must encourage Redcliffe culture and setting expectations to new and previous players who look up to me as a player, whether it’s on or off the field.

How would you describe your style of leadership and who has influenced you in that?

My style of leadership is giving maximum effort in both training and game days. I believe you should train how you play leaving nothing in your tank. My leadership has been heavily influenced by my coach “Smally”, as he was straight up and honest with me about his expectations of a leader, which he felt I was naturally displaying to my team.

What do you and your team hope to get out of this season?

We hope to create strong team camaraderie this year, have fun and make memories as it would be awesome to finish juniors on a high note.

What skill have you put the most work into in the preseason and why?

In my role as halfback, during preseason I have focused on my vision to organise my team ensuring I get to the best points to attack from. This will benefit my playing style and will get the best results for my team.

Why do you think your team will succeed?

Our team will succeed as our new coach is willing to assess each player individually on their skills and abilities and put the best player on the field. This brings great opportunities for the best players to play.

Who has been the biggest influence on your rugby league journey and how have they helped you?

My biggest influences on my rugby league journey initially was my dad teaching me the fundamentals of the game. Smally and Chris Little, who were two of my 2023 Cyril Connell Cup coaches gave me greater understanding of the game and provided me with more depth to my skills and abilities.

Logan Brothers - Cooper Young

Position: Prop or lock

What are you looking forward to most about this season?

We've got a new bunch of boys and a new coach, so I feel like we're going to learn a lot more and learn to enjoy our footy.

What does it mean to be a leader in your team?

It's a privilege because we've got a team full of superstars there and my coach has asked me to the lead the boys around. It's very exciting.

How would you describe your style of leadership and who has influenced you in that?

I like to think I lead by my actions, the way I take the field and present myself on and off the field.

What do you and your team hope to get out of this season?

It's more about everyone understanding the game and developing as a player I find is more successful than just winning.

What skill have you put the most work into in the preseason and why?

What I'm working on is taking carries to make my mates' jobs easier. It's a one-percenter in footy I've realised that fans don't realise but coaches and players know it's really beneficial. Push supports, quick play-the-balls, little stuff like that.

Why do you think your team will succeed?

Just the raw talent we've got a good coaching staff.

Who has been the biggest influence on your rugby league journey and how have they helped you?

My idol is Pat Carrigan from the Brisbane Broncos and I like watch the way he plays and leads the team around. He influences me, and my coaches see something in me, so that pushes me.

*Moreton Bay Raiders did not respond