Melbourne Storm have strengthened ties to the Sunshine Coast by extending their partnership with the Falcons and establishing an academy for talented rugby league players.
The NRL stars, on the Coast for a two-week stint, announced several initiatives to bolster their connection with the region.
They will continue their affiliation with the Falcons until the end of the 2024 season and will host a Tornadoes Academy here to provide a pathway for players into the Storm system.
They also committed to returning to the Sunshine Coast at various times during the next three years.
“The Sunshine Coast has become a second home for us in the last few years,” Storm CEO Justin Rodski said.
“We always feel very welcome here and we have some valuable partnerships in place with the community and commercial sector who have been extremely supportive of our club.”
The Storm are also owners of the region’s successful national league netball team, Sunshine Coast Lightning.
“(They have) been a success story since first entering the Super Netball League in 2017,” Mr Rodski said.
“The partnership and integration between our two clubs is unique in Australian sport.
“It continues to provide local talent with the opportunity to engage with two of the most successful sporting teams in the country and has led to Coast juniors in both sports making it into the NRL and Suncorp Super Netball competition.”
The Falcons have provided Storm fringe players with valuable game time in the Queensland Cup since 2015.
“The Falcons have been the perfect fit for our players who aren’t playing first grade, giving them the chance to develop their craft against some quality opposition,” Ponissi said.
“There is a host of young players recruited to Storm such as Harry Grant, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Justin Olam, Jahrome Hughes and Brandon Smith who have been allocated to the Falcons in the Intrust Super Cup before embarking on successful NRL careers.”
The link between the two clubs has also allowed Falcons players to earn call-ups to the Storm.
“A number of Falcons players such as Nicho Hynes, Tui Kamikamaca, Ryley Jacks, and Chris Lewis have been recruited directly from the Falcons team to the Storm,” Ponissi said.
Local juniors such as Tino Faásuamaleaui, Trent Loiero and Tyson Smoothy have all come through from the Falcons junior program to the Storm pathway system to make their NRL debut with the Storm.
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The new Tornadoes Academy will provide young Sunshine Coast players with another pathway into the NRL system.
They will have exposure to the Storm’s elite training and coaching programs, and will be provided with skills to prepare off the field.
The Tornados will be overseen by ex-Storm premiership player and Queensland State of Origin representative Tim Glasby, who is now Storm Pathways Manager.
Tim and Storm’s Recruitment and List Manager Paul Bunn will continue to be based at the Sunshine Coast Stadium.
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The Storm spent months on the Sunshine Coast last year.
“From the support we receive from Sunshine Coast Council and the Stadium through to Novotel Twin Waters, we always feel very much at home whenever we have stayed on the Sunshine Coast,” Rodski said.
“Having this sort of support provides great confidence for the players, coaches and staff to prepare for a pre-season and regular season fixtures.
“Both Storm and Lightning have deep connections to the community through programs and commercial partnerships.
“Fuel Your Life, Rockcote and Springfree Trampolines are three national companies based in the Sunshine Coast who have partnered with the Storm group and continue to provide support to both elite teams.
“We hope to be able to continue giving back to the Sunshine Coast community for many years to come.”
The club also unveiled its 2021 Indigenous Round jersey, which features symbols referencing the time spent in the Sunshine Coast hub during Storm’s premiership year in 2020.
