Having begun to embrace rugby league, the status of the school as an emerging league power was confirmed on the weekend when five players were selected to the open and under 15 NSW Combined Independent Schools sides.

Playmakers Sam George and James Toole, both of whom are key players for Bathurst Panthers under 18s in Group 10, were selected to the 20-strong squad for the Australian Schoolboys Rugby League Championships in July.

Joining them will be Panthers under 15s prop/second rower Brady Cheshire, St Pat’s three-quarter James Woolmington, and half-back Robbie Mortimer, son of former Bulldogs and NSW representative, Peter Mortimer.

The latter three will all run out for the under 15s side which will contest their championship on June 26 in Brisbane.

Both competitions will feature CIS, Combined Catholic College and Combined High School sides from NSW and Queensland, from where a national side will also be selected.

All five players were nominated by Stannies to attend the selection trials in Sydney on the weekend, held at Narabeen.

Stannies rugby league official Paul McDonald was understandably proud of the five students, as well as the progress the school is making in general when it comes to the 13-a-side code.

“As well as the selection announcements, we have our opens side in the last 64 of the Arrive Alive Cup, and we have a game coming up against a Melbourne school for a spot in the final 64,” McDonald said. “We now have a lot of boys coming here from feeder schools because rugby league is offered. We like them to play rugby union but they don’t have to.”

McDonald said areas west of Bathurst were beginning to understand that Forbes’ Red Ben Catholic College is not the only league nursery in the Central West.

“It [league] is here to stay. The boys get to compete, and the rugby union coaches are appreciative of the contact skills, and both codes are being enhanced,” he said.