It mightn’t be too long until another Fittler is running around for NSW after the squads were announced for a two-day camp for the state’s brightest young stars.
Blues coach Brad Fittler will have 41 players to look after this weekend, but he’ll have one eye focused on his son Zach who has already impressed scouts this year.
The teenager is still a long way away from first grade, but he excelled for the Roosters in the Harold Matthews competition this year and was outstanding for NSW in the under-16s rugby national championship last month.
Fittler played up an age division in the Harold Matts and is already an athletic specimen weighing in at 105kg.
He’ll be able to work on his skills along with 40 up-and-coming youngsters at NSWRL headquarters, with a couple of familiar faces there to ensure the state’s next generation is up to speed for what’s to come.
Former Blues skipper Boyd Cordner will be there to help, as will NSW assistant coach Paul McGregor as they identify and nurture talent from the Northern Rivers, Newcastle, Illawarra, Canberra and Sydney.
Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder will also run a camp for 25 girls from across the state and will be helped by NRLW premiership-winner Millie Boyle as well as former NSW skipper Ruan Sims.
The camp will focus on things like gym work and field sessions, but there will also be an emphasis on life skills such as leadership, nutrition and mental focus.
CABE Junior Blues
Tai Blackman (Newcastle Knights), Tylor Bunting (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Harry Chadburn (Northern Rivers Titans), Alex Challenor (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Alex Conti (Balmain Tigers), Moustafa Dirani (Penrith Panthers), Jaxon Edgar (Penrith Panthers), Samuela Fainu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Joshua Feledy (Macarthur Wests Tigers), Ethan Ferguson (Newcastle Knights), Thomas Fisher (Western Suburbs Magpies), Zach Fittler (Sydney Roosters), Thomas Fisher (south Sydney Rabbitohs), Charlie Guymer (Parramatta Eels), Jacob Halangahu (St George Illawarra Dragons), Zane Harrison (Northern Rivers Titans), Harrison Hassett (Penrith Panthers), Jack Hilliar (Newcastle Knights), Kyan Hjaltason (Illawarra South Coast Dragons), Harry Hudson (Monaro Colts), Liam Ison (Penrith Panthers), Leo Jacques, Finau Latu (St George Illawarra Dragons), Heath Mason (Western Suburbs Magpies), Jesse McLean (Penrith Panthers), Nick Murphy (Western Rams), Riley Oitmann (Macarthur Wests Tigers), Josah Papalli (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Venasiotanagifetaua Patuki Case (Sydney Roosters), Michael Roberts (Northern Rivers Titans/Redcliffe Dolphins), Joseph Roddy (Riverina Bulls/Canberra Raiders), Toby Rodwell (Sydney Roosters), Lewish Sargent-Wilson (Illawarra South Coast Dragons), Ethan Sanders (Parramatta Eels), Fletcher Sharpe (Newcastle Knights), Chevy Stewart (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks/Canberra Raiders), Blaize Talagi (Parramatta Eels), Zachariah Taufa (Illawarra South Coast Dragons), Sam Tuivaiti (Parramatta Eels), Joe Walsh (Sydney Roosters), Mitchell Woods (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Junior Sky Blues
Charlotte Basham (Illawarra Steelers), Brooklyn Blackadder (Greater Northern Tigers), Paige Bohringer (NSWCCC Secondary Schools), Charlotte Boyle (Illawarra Steelers), Sharlize Campbell (Central Coast Roosters), Casey Cowgill (North Coast Bulldogs), Tyra Ekapati (Central Coast Roosters), Yasmin Elabbasi (Northern Rivers Titans), Evie Jones (Greater Northern Tigers), Missy Karaitiana (Western Rams), Taylor Keppie (Western Rams), Ella Knowles (Hunter Sports High), Evah McEwan (Newcastle Knights), Lily McNamara (Greater Northern Tigers), Lailani Montgomery (Central Coast Roosters), Maria Paseka (Illawarra Steelers), Liliana Reardon (Greater Northern Tigers), Maddison Riley (Greater Northern Tigers), Bronte Ryan (NSWCIS Secondary Schools), Emiah Stokes (North Coast Bulldogs), Jaminey Weatherall (Northern Rivers Titans), Katelyn Whitehead (Central Coast Roosters), Lilly-Ann White (Newcastle Knights), Charlee Woods (North Coast Bulldogs), Rhian Yeo (NSWCCC Secondary Schools)
