Behind every successful NRL Club there’s a system and pathway that breeds talent.
And that’s exactly what the Warriors owners have revived. For the first time in club’s history, the Warriors have five teams from the under 17 grade right up to the first grade side.
“If we don't have these junior pathways then we lose these kids because the opportunities are better in Australia," Warriors general manager of pathways Andrew McFadden told 1News.
But now the opportunities are here in Auckland.
The Warriors have shown in the past that depth pays off. In 2011, the three sides of the New Zealand Warriors, Auckland Vulcans and the Warriors Under 20’s made their respective grand finals.
“We've got opportunities for 15-16 [year olds] that is important because the other NRL clubs have had them forever," McFadden said.
Warriors lock Jazz Tevaga said the benefits were there to be seen at other NRL clubs.
“In the past, we would look for talent elsewhere when it was right on our back doorstep. If you look at the [Penrith] Panthers... one year, all their teams won everything.”
Those in the Warriors system are getting a taste of what being a professional is like, regularly travelling to Australia for games.
The club is also buying an old automotive shed near Mt Smart stadium, for converting into a gym. This would give the junior teams their own facility but also stop overcrowding in the main gym.
The teams also use One Tree Hill College as a training base.
“It comes down to having a owner who knows what rugby league is about,” McFadden said.
Warriors Under 19 co-captain JD Auloa told 1News the outreach to younger players would be grabbed with all hands.
“In some places you'll get so much, but in New Zealand it’s hard to get that opportunity. So I think with the Warriors expanding their pathway, it’s really good.”
The expanding doesn’t stop there, the Warriors are close to confirming a women’s side for the NRLW competition.
“Things are looking really positive and we're are building to have a team for 2025, there’s huge interest and we are constantly getting contacted about when can I play for the Warriors,” Warriors NRLW Academy manager Nadene Conlon told 1News.
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