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THEY possess physiques that can dent brutal defensive lines and rattle opponents with crunching tackles, but the NRL has also acknowledged the need to empower its growing number of Pacific Islander players with a voice.
This week 35 senior players and a handful of team officials, all of Pacific Islander heritage, will participate in a three-day NRL leadership camp. They'll learn how to help young players of similar backgrounds cope with aspects of the code that conflict with their culture - such as questioning club leaders.
It's expected the attendees, dual international Lote Tuqiri included, will appreciate the need to occasionally act as the liaison between the young, shy players and their club's coach or chief executive.

International League

Jan 17 2012, 10:04 AM

I don't think the NRL and the clubs utilise their players enough during the pre-season.

It could be a week of the players time during pre-season where they could still train, but it would do so much to develop the sport, if all players were involved, you could have around 300 players spread around Rural Aus and the pacific islands, running clinics and fan days.