Ipswich High on Sharks NRL recruiting list
THE link between the Ipswich State High School rugby league academy and the Cronulla Sharks is already paying off for two talented individuals.
Derek Oram and Junior Sione are the first of the school's promising players joining the Sharks for a training camp this week.
The relationship with the Sharks is being forged by academy chief and ISHS teacher Lee Addison.
"The Sharks asked us to nominate some young players," Addison said.
"It is a three-day camp with Cronulla under-20 coach James Shepherd, focussing on skills, conditioning and seminars.
"As part of our partnership this is the first step."
The school's league academy is paying the players' way.
Addison hopes it helps spread the word of what the academy can offer ambitious and committed young players.
The ultimate goal is to provide a pathway from the ISHS academy into the Sharks' under-20 squad.
Oram, 16, a five-eighth/utility is a Swifts junior.
Back-rower Sione, 17, has not played in Australia since moving from New Zealand.
"Derek is quite an elusive runner," Addison said.
"He's got good vision and can steer teams around. He's also got a good pass and is an on-field talker.
"Junior is explosive.
"He hits hard, runs good lines and is hard to stop."
The training camp is from tomorrow until Saturday.
