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League’s solution to the young star problem

By MATT MITCHELL

EIGHT years ago, a promising 17-year-old made his highly anticipated debut for Canberra’s NRL side.

Signed by the Raiders at just 12, the Goulburn raised boy possessed the freakish rugby league abilities that fans likened to icons Laurie Daley, Mal Meninga, and Ricky Stuart.

The expectations were so intense that, in those fans’ eyes, Todd Carney was destined for premiership glory long before hanging up that famous ‘green machine’ jersey.

But in 2008, after a series of off-field indiscretions including driving and alcohol offences, the club he loved took that beloved jersey back and booted him out.

Despite continuing troubles with alcohol, Carney achieved some redemption in 2010 when as a result of a successful year on the field at the Sydney Roosters, he won the coveted Dally M medal for the game’s best player.

But Carney’s fortune in surviving in the game is somewhat unique, with little tolerance shown by clubs these days for young player’s indiscretions. When Carney this year signed with the Sharks (moving on his own part due to breaking the Roosters’ alcohol ban) NRL chief executive David Gallop said (26 October 2011), “[The Sharks are] making a big investment in him – the game is making a big investment in him – and he needs to take responsibility for that.”

As far as responsibility goes, fans say the governing body should take the lion’s share in setting the standards and punishments, as well as the education. But fans are not told about the NRL’s strategy towards solving the problem – so NowUC asked: what is the game doing to prevent the next drama- laden young star?

“We’re working with clubs, setting some minimum standards of behaviour and professionalism throughout, and ensuring they’re meeting this criteria and even going above and beyond,” says the head of the NRL’s Toyota Cup programs Tony McFadyen.

McFadyen says that the game is working overtime to educate and care for their young talent.

“We really want to give them every opportunity to stay in the game for as long as they can with their ability, and not have an outside influence impact on them that sees them taken away from that.”

Not widely known about the NRL’s welfare strategy is forcing NYC (national youth competition) players to either work or study.

“A part of the rules of Toyota Cup now is that unless they’re working or studying at a minimum of 24 hours a week they’re ineligible to play,” McFadyen said.

“Its a tough ask for them to get to this level, and we are asking them to do more on top of that.

“But only a small number go on to have a career in the NRL, and those careers are not going to last forever, so to have something else going on in their lives on top of their football tends to provide a bit of balance.”

Corey Hammond, a former member of the under-20’s Raiders squad, studied part-time whilst playing football.

“I managed to balance both footy and study, and I saw the benefits of doing both,” he says.

“A lot’s been said in the past about footy players getting into trouble because they have too much time on their hands, so if you’re having to work or go to Uni or CIT in your non-training time then your focussed on doing that well.”

The NRL accepts that outside of their care, the players will face challenges where choices will have to be made – and the wrong choice carries a consequence.

“They’re under a range of different pressures that are inflicted on them throughout their lives as with any 17-20 year old, but I guess its highlighted with them more with the expectation that’s on them,” McFadyen concedes.

“We know they’re going to be out at parties, out with mates who are not in a situation like them.

“We talk to them about sacrifices, if they are in a position where they may be susceptible to alcohol, drugs, sex, ethics, we want them to be able to read the situation as best as they can.

“We look at using industry professionals to get that message across, as well as a current or ex player who has been through it.”

According to Hammond, the players are aware of the mistakes of their peers and are determined to take responsibility for their actions.

“We know the game’s been tarnished these off-field incidents, and most of it comes back to bad decision making,” he says.

“The young playing group needs to continue shining on-the-field but off-the-field too.”

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