The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have renewed its partnership with revered rugby league nursery St Patrick’s College Mackay.
The breeding ground of emerging Cowboys superstar Jaxon Purdue as well as Old Boys Martin Bella, John Manning, Grant Rovelli and Mitch Dunn along with current NRLW captain Emma Manzelmann, St Patrick’s first entered into an official partnership with the Cowboys in 2022.
NRL squad members Xavier Kerrisk and Matt Watts, five Young Guns squad members in Kai Simon, Kayne Smith, Declan Grady, Jack Thorburn and Norman Campbell are all graduates of St Patrick’s, while three current students at the school – Grange Womal, Eli Cookson and Lucas Haack are contracted to the Cowboys.
St Patrick’s also has a strong representative in the Cowboys’ front office with ex-staff member Chad Buckby (Head of Education & Wellbeing) and ex-students Michael Comerford (Elite Pathways Operations Manager) and Dunn (Elite Pathways Coach) all part of the Cowboys’ Football Department.
As part of the agreement St Patrick’s receive regular access to Cowboys coaching staff and football resources, professional development opportunities for staff at the Hutchinson Builders Centre and the ability to promote the partnership with the Cowboys.
“We believe St Patrick’s is an ideal environment on and off the field for Cowboys contracted players in Mackay. This agreement gives us an oversight of day to day academic, behavioural and football standards,” Cowboys Elite Pathways Operations Manager Michael Comerford said.
“The school has done a great job in recent years of preparing players for a transition to higher level football.
“The success of the school in the Aaron Payne and Phil Hall Cups as well as the Confraternity Shield has helped our club broaden its elite footprint at schoolboy level outside of Townsville.”
St Patrick’s College Mackay Deputy Principal Scott McSherry said the partnership with the Cowboys allows their students to see a genuine pathway from St Pat’s to the NRL.
“When you’re connected to a professional club, the expectations lift straight away,” Mr McSherry said.
“St Patrick’s students are exposed to standards that push them to train harder and think more seriously about where the game could take them. Our coaches also gain access to high-level development and improved coaching will aid all players across the program, regardless of ability.
“With more than 250 students signed on to rugby league, a large number of players and coaches are benefitting from this opportunity.”
