The hours of study that Brent Tate is dedicating to his post-football life have earned him selection in the 2014 NRL-RLPA Academic Team of the Year.
The Cowboys outside back was in Sydney today for the announcement of the squad that highlights some of the NRL stars currently engaged in further education or workplace training.
Tate is undertaking a Cert IV Frontline Management and a Cert IV Small Business with Skill360 as he looks to life after football, and joins Matt Scott, Ray Thompson and Ashley Graham on the list of Cowboys who have gained Academic Team of the Year honours.
The Queensland Maroons and Kangaroos star said that he could not emphasise the importance of work place training and study more.
“For me, after having a conversation with Wayne Bennett a few years ago I realised the importance of getting an education,” Tate said.
“It was not long after that I realised I had to start the wheels in motion in terms of studying.
“As a result I’m feeling more prepared to enter the workforce when I approach the back end of my career.”
Also announced today for the first time was the NYC Academic Team of the Year, to celebrate the achievements of the game’s future players.
It included Cowboys back-rower Corey Jensen, who is studying a sports and exercise science degree at James Cook University.
NRL-RLPA welfare and education committee chairman Mark Coyne said that education and workplace training was important for players to progress in the workforce.
“We have a wonderful group of incredibly successful NRL players here today who have shown that both commitment to the game and study are achievable,” Coyne said.
“Not only are these players a credit to themselves but they're also an inspiration to all other young players, showing that they too can balance further studies and a rugby league career.”
NRL Academic Team of the Year
Broncos: Todd Lowrie – Cert IV in Project Management; Cert IV in Small Business
Bulldogs: Dale Finucane – Bachelor of Health & Movement
Raiders: David Shillington – Bachelor of Business; Diploma of Business
Cowboys: Brent Tate – Cert IV Frontline; Cert IV Small Business
Sea Eagles: Tom Symonds – Bachelor of Health Exercise Science; Brenton Lawrence – Bachelor of Arts in International studies; Certificates III & IV in Training
Storm: Ryan Hoffman – Bachelor of Business
Knights: Robbie Rochow – Degree in Civil Engineering
Panthers: Jeremy Latimore – Bachelor of Commerce; Ryan Simpkins – Diploma in Hydraulics Design (qualified plumber)
Rabbitohs: Jason Clark – Cert III Fitness, Cert IV in Small Business (qualified apprentice carpenter)
Dragons: Jason Nightingale – Bachelor of Business
Warriors: Siliva Havili – Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)
