The National Rugby League is pleased to announce the finalists for this year's Wellbeing & Education Awards which acknowledge and celebrate the significant amount of dedication, commitment and effort NRL and NRLW players put in to their lives from the field.
- Indigenous Leadership & Excellence Award
- Pasifika Leadership & Excellence Award
- Entrepreneur Player of the Year
The Wellbeing & Education program is delivered in partnership by the NRL and the RLPA and focusses on supporting and developing players with all aspects of their lives other than footy. Over 5,000 players are supported at every stage of the elite pathways by programs which are delivered by qualified staff at every club.
The players below have all shown that a commitment to post-career development alongside their playing career has on positive impact on on-field performance.
"These awards are designed to recognise those players that have the most positive impact on not only their mates but all players throughout their clubs," Paul Heptonstall, NRLW Senior Manager Wellbeing & Education said.
"Whether it be inspiring another player to engage in off field studies, celebrate their own cultures, take ownership of their actions or simply making better decisions, these leaders will have a lifelong impact on others."
Jamie Buhrer, RLPA Player Operations & Wellbeing Lead, said: "While it’s easy to watch and appreciate the on-field achievements of our players every week, their off-field leadership and commitment to post career development can harder to see.
The Wellbeing & Education Awards provide a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the amazing work our players are consistently doing off the field.
Jamie Buhrer, RLPA
"All finalists have shown that juggling leadership and post career development commitments, alongside their rugby league career is not only achievable, but that it can take your on-field performance to another level."
Indigenous Leadership & Excellence Award
This award recognises and celebrates current NRL and NRLW Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders players who are leading the way on the field and in their community.
The recipient has to display an involvement and engagement in the areas of leadership, career and education development, as well as cultural engagement.
"The Indigenous Leadership & Excellence award was created to inspire and encourage Indigenous players to not only become leaders on the sporting field but also balance this with personal education that will see them as lifelong successful men and women. Previous winners have strengthened the voice of indigenous players in the rugby league community and created positive change in the way the game respects and honours our indigenous history," said NRL Indigenous Programs Manager Dean Widders.
NRL Finalist #1 – Connor Watson (Roosters)
A proud Gamilaroi Man, Connor's leadership qualities and his ability to inspire and encourage others to explore various aspects of their lives beyond football are commendable. Connor takes the initiative to organise activities and events within the club that promote cultural, creative, emotional, and academic exploration. Connor supports the club’s community department and is a director of the Cultural Choice Association – a not-for-profit association whose mission is to raise awareness and support the prevention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth suicide. This impact on the Indigenous playing group will leave a long legacy.
NRL Finalist #2 – Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
Proud Biripai and Wiradjuri man, Latrell continues to tackle difficult topics head on to be a leader for Indigenous players as well as a spokesperson on important Indigenous issues. He has actively campaigned against racism in sport and had set the example by calling out unacceptable behaviours. Latrell is an RLPA Player Advisory Group member and is very active in his own business ventures which will have a lifelong impact on his family and community and will ensure he is successful well after playing the game.
NRL Finalist #3 – Reimis Smith (Storm)
Reimis is Wiradjuri and Bundjalung man that is very comfortable in sharing his story on all aspects of life, including his culture, rugby league journey and now business adventures of the playing field. He hopes his journey helps to inspire other young Indigenous and Māori men to have big dreams and chase them. Reimis shows true leadership through his actions and behaviours.
NRLW Finalist #1 – Tahulah Tillett (Cowboys)
Tahlulah is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman that takes the time to mentor other young aspiring rugby league players and encourages them to be proud of their communities. While having played in the NRLW and All Stars, Tahlulah works in the Cowboys community department – helping to present many healthy messages to schools and community groups. Tahlulah is aware of the opportunities she has with her rugby league profile and tries to use that to make the most positive impact she can.
NRLW Finalist #2 – Kaitlyn Phillips (Titans)
Kaitlyn is a proud Wiradjuri woman that has inspired so many other male and female Indigenous players by her achievements on the football field, but even more importantly with her educational pursuits. She has completed a degree in Paramedicine and is now attempting to complete a degree in Echocardiology and Cardiac Physiology. She is a quiet and unassuming woman that has represented the All Stars for the last three years as well as playing in the NRLW competition.
NRLW Finalist #3 – Bobbi Law (Dragons)
Bobbi is a proud Worimi woman and an active advocate for both female and Indigenous rugby league players by sitting on the Indigenous Players Advisory Group and being a RLPA delegate. She is passionate about her community and works in harm reduction programs from gambling, while also helping young, disadvantaged youth secure their drivers' licences.
Pasifika Leadership & Excellence Award
This award recognises and celebrates current NRL and NRLW players from a Pasifika & Māori heritage who are leading the way on the field, within their club as well as the wider rugby league community.
The recipient has to display an involvement and engagement in the areas of leadership, career and education development, as well as cultural engagement.
"This award is a representation not just of the finalists but also the strong ties that our players have back to their family and community. As the largest ethnic group across the game, our finalists epitomise the core values our diverse cultures bring to the game of rugby league and encourage the next generation to be proud of where they are from and the eventual legacy they will leave behind," said David Solomona, NRL Player Wellbeing Programs & Pasifika & Faith Lead.
NRL Finalist #1 – James Fisher-Harris (Panthers)
James has taken on numerous leadership roles in the last 12 months, both on the field as well as within and the club and the community. Captaining the Māori team at this year’s All Stars game as well as connecting with the community and PCYC with Haka Warrior Program, James is also currently working towards being an accredited Strength and Conditioning coach. James has been engaged in a Māori course for quite some time and currently sits on the Pasifika Players Advisory Group as well as being an RLPA Delegate.
NRL Finalist #2 – Hymel Hunt (Knights)
Hymel has been an advocate for Pasifika Financial Education for many years, which is a passion point for him across the game. While playing and training full-time, Hymel also works 25 hours per week as a mortgage broker after recently completing his Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Brokering. Active within his community, Hymel regularly volunteers his time and participates in cultural events run at the club and is an active member of the RLPA Delegate.
NRL Finalist #3 – Tautau Moga (Dragons)
A stalwart of the game, Tau has proven to be a positive influence in his club. A mental health ambassador, he recently completed a Diploma in Community Engagement and was the catalyst to encourage a group of players to complete qualifications in Rigging and Dogging. A proud Samoan, Tau has been very active in the community as well as an advocate for Pasifika and Indigenous programs.
NRLW Finalist #1 – Corban Baxter (Roosters)
Corban continues to show leadership qualities on and off the field as captain at her club and co-owner of her business, CK Athletic Development. Born in New Zealand, Corban has proudly captained the Māori All Stars team twice and has been a strong advocate for Māori and Pasifika programs. She recently completed her Certificate III in Fitness and also recently gained her Senior Coaching certificates. Corban continues to be a role model for athlete mothers, having recently returned from having her second child while still playing at the highest level.
NRLW Finalist #2 – Shontelle Stowers (Eels)
Shontelle’s willingness to put her time into causes and spaces she believes are important is evident in the groups she participates in. She is an RLPA delegate, a wellbeing delegate for Family of League and part of her club’s leadership team. Shontelle is the founder of Moana Wellness, which does breath-work and coaching, and has been engaged in a Samoan language course for quite some time. She also continues to be strong advocate for Pasifika players and issues in and around the game.
NRLW Finalist #3 – Botille Vette-Welsh (Wests Tigers)
Bo is a natural leader on and off the field and was selected as her club’s first captain for their inaugural year in the NRLW. She works full-time as a community engagement officer for Wests Tigers but also volunteers her time coaching Wests Tigers’ junior teams as well as assisting with the club’s ROAR program. A proud Māori woman and as humble as they come, Bo has also represented the Māori All Stars team as well as numerous representative teams across New Zealand and Australia and is a current member of the RLPA Player Advisory Group.
Entrepreneur Player of the Year
This award celebrates the commitment, creativity, motivation and passion of current NRL and NRLW players, who have started, established and operate businesses alongside their playing careers.
NRL Finalist #1 – Angus Crichton (Roosters)
- Founding Director of First People Project – A foundation that provides a mentoring program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys and girls at boarding school.
- Business Owner of AC Flo – A barber hairstyling service located in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. Angus manages all aspects of the business and has secured a loyal customer base through implementing robust marketing strategies and providing a high-quality service and experience.
NRL Finalist #2 – Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs)
- Business Owner of Let’s Trot Apparel – A highly successful clothing brand that was conceptualised by Josh and has grown from a start-up to turning over more than $1M in less than two years. Whether it is selecting materials, designing apparel, working with manufacturers or delivering a sales pitch, Josh is involved in it all.
NRL Finalist #3 – Reimis Smith (Storm)
- Founder at Lone Crow – A premium selection of single-origin and blended specialty-grade coffee beans, roasted in Sydney and distributed nationwide. Reimis leads the business development function selling beans and coffee machines to corporate and hospitality organisations of all sizes, whilst also sharing his inspiring story along the way.
NRLW Finalist #1 – Corban Baxter (Roosters)
- Co-Founder at CK Athletic Development – Based in the Sutherland Shire, CK Athletic Development was created to provide individuals of all ages the opportunity to develop their athletic abilities through professional training. Founders Corban Baxter and Kiana Takairangi combine their experience and knowledge as they aim to inspire, guide and support athletes to reach their goals and be better people, both on and off the field.
NRLW Finalist #2 – Shontelle Stowers (Eels)
- Founder at Moana Wairua Wellness – Founded in 2021, Moana Wairua Wellness provides breath-work workshops, and wellness retreats and mentoring for elite athletes. Shontelle’s goal is to “empower a new wave of conscious, connected, embodied, kind and confident young humans who will use their learning to make positive impact and change in the game”.
