Program

The Western Sydney Rugby League Academy (WSRLA) will resume on Saturday, 4 December 2021. The academy in the 2021/2022 season will be led by our newly appointed Head Coach, Frank “the tank” Pritchard.

Frank brings vast experience to the academy, having spent over 14 years as an NRL player. Frank made his NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers in 2003 and played there for 8 years before joining the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs from 2011 until 2015. He finished his career at the Parramatta Eels in 2017 before announcing his retirement. Throughout that time, Frank also played at an international level for New Zealand and Samoa.

In recent years, Frank has assisted at various NRL junior development systems at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and St George Dragons.

Given Frank’s previous experience as an NRL player and current involvement in NRL junior development systems, he knows the expectations and what it takes for players to develop from simply playing park footy to strapping on the boots for an NRL debut.

Frank will be assisted in the academy by other high-performance coaches as well as current and former NRL players.

Male and female players born in 2009 (u13’s) to 2002 (u20’s), will be placed in our ‘elite academy program’. This program will focus on developing players to the requisite standard and expectations of NRL junior development and pathways systems. Specific sessions will also focus on position specific skills as well as resilience, dealing with mental health and adversity. The program will also include three testing sessions, operated by professional timing equipment and personnel. At the conclusion of the academy, each player will receive a signed certificate, validating their best testing times within the program.

For summer 2021/2022 period, the cost for our academy program will be $185, or an active kids voucher + $85. However, discounts will be applied for siblings. The cost will be $165 for a second child and $150 for a third or subsequent child. All payments can include an active kids voucher.

The cost will include the academy apparel, comprising of a training tee and training shorts.

All sessions will be held at Ruse Park (84 Stacey Street Sth, Bankstown) unless otherwise specified.