The Canberra Raiders have increased their investment in their local regions, by establishing new Raiders Academies across the club’s regional footprint.
The Raiders Academy programs are an extension of the existing Raiders Development squad programs. They are aimed at players aged 14, to help them prepare for the move into the club’s development squads and junior representative teams.
The Academy programs are held in regional settings in Wagga Wagga (Group 9), Griffith (Group 20), Narooma (Group 16), and Canberra (CRRL), which allows elite level coaching and training programs to be delivered without players having to travel.
Raiders Pathways and Performance Manager Dean Souter said the Academies show the Raider's commitment to their regions and helping regional based rugby league talent chase their dreams.
“We’ve established these programs to take to the regions to give the next generation of players the opportunity to have exposure to elite level coaching and training,” Souter said. “We want the Raiders to have that extended visibility in our regional catchment and get kids prepared for the next stages of their development.”
The Raiders have also employed the club's first Elite Pathways Coach, Chris Hutchison, who will be instrumental in delivering the Academy programs.
Hutchison comes with over 20 years experience in development with other NRL clubs and most recently held the position of Coaching Director for the Mounties Group.
He said the Academies are an opportunity to not only identify talent but also to show people in the regional areas that there is a genuine pathway for players in these communities.
“I’m really excited about getting out to our regional areas and working with the players and helping the club identify players who we believe can take the steps in their journey to become an NRL player with the Raiders,” Hutchison said. “I’ve been really impressed with some of the talent we’ve already been able to identify through the new Academies and most importantly connect with the locals in those areas and show them there is a pathway through to the NRL via the Raiders.”
