League Ahead honours players at awards night
League Ahead has honoured player leadership, learning, and off-field development across both the NRL and NRLW at the 2025 Academic & Excellence Awards.
The Academic & Excellence Awards, run by League Ahead, celebrate players who lead in culture and community, commit to education and vocational growth, and drive player-led initiatives that create lasting impact beyond the jersey.
Clint Newton OAM, RLPA CEO and League Ahead Board Director, said:
“We are incredibly proud of all our members – the elite rugby league players fans flock to watch week in, week out. Not only do they put on a great show on the field, they are also deeply committed to personal and professional growth off it – much of which happens without any fanfare.”
“League Ahead’s 2025 Academic & Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on the people who play the game and their remarkable dedication to education, business, and community work. These awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and honour the players’ outstanding off-field achievements.”
League Ahead’s 2025 Academic & Excellence Awards are:
NRL & NRLW Pasifika Leadership & Excellence Awards:
Toafofoa Sipley (Manly Sea Eagles)
Tiana Penitani Gray (Cronulla Sharks)
NRL & NRLW Indigenous Leadership & Excellence Awards
Josh Kerr (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Tallisha Harden (North Queensland Cowboys)
NRL & NRLW Entrepreneur of the Year
Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)/Fletcher Baker (Brisbane Broncos)
Jasmin Strange (Sydney Roosters)
NRL & NRLW Young Player Education Recognition Award
Owen Pattie (Canberra Raiders)
Estanoa Faitala-Mariner (Gold Coast Titans)
NRL & NRLW Vocational Player of the Year
Grant Anderson (Melbourne Storm)
Otesa Pule (Sydney Roosters)
Academic Team of the Year
Ethan Bullemor, NRL (Manly Sea Eagles) -B. Advanced Economics/MBA
Keele Browne, NRLW (St George Dragons) – B. Ex Science, Cert IV Entrepreneurship
Jack Cogger, NRL (Newcastle Knights) – B. Business, Cert IV in Athlete Wellbeing
Georgia Grey, NRLW (Gold Coast Titans) – B. Sports Management
Brendan Hands, NRL (Parramatta Eels) – B. Ex Science, M. Clinical Ex Physiology
Olivia Higgins, NRLW (Newcastle Knights) – B. Education, M. Inclusive Education
Jacob Host, NRL (South Sydney Rabbitohs) – B. Sport and Ex Science, Cert IV Finance & Mortgage Broking
Corey Jensen, NRL (Brisbane Broncos) – B. Sport & Ex Science, Cert IV in Small Business
Hayley Maddick, NRLW (Brisbane Broncos) – B. Education/B. Outdoor Environment Studies
Sean O’Sullivan, NRL (Redcliffe Dolphins) – Grad Cert Business, M. Sport Management
Sandon Smith, NRL (Sydney Roosters) – B. Construction Management
Jakiya Whitfeld, NRLW (North Queensland Cowboys)
Blake Wilson, NRL (Canterbury Bulldogs) – Pilot Licence
NRL & NRLW Academic Player of the Year
Ethan Bullemor (Manly Sea Eagles)
Olivia Higgins (Newcastle Knights)
About League Ahead
As part of the 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), it was agreed that a new stand-alone entity, League Ahead, would be established to oversee and deliver wellbeing and education support for all contracted NRL and NRLW players.
League Ahead empowers players to do more and be more through real support—in their game, their growth and their life. Our programs are person-first, co-designed with players, and delivered with WEMs to build mental fitness, cultural confidence, life skills and future pathways—driving outcomes on the field and in life beyond it.
