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NRL Chief Executive David Gallop today said the Toyota Cup has proven itself to be a blueprint for success against rival codes.
In just one season the Toyota Cup has captivated fans at grounds and on television and today the NRL honoured the stars of the groundbreaking competition’s success with the naming of the Toyota Cup Team of the Year.
Rising NRL stars Chris Sandow, Lachlan Coote, Justin Carney, Jordan Rapana and Tony Williams are among the members of the inaugural Toyota Cup Team of the Year, which will now become an annual tradition as the competition continues to grow in the years to come.
The team – voted for by the 16 Toyota Cup coaches – features 10 players who have played a total of 72 games in the NRL this season, with nine clubs represented in the 17-man squad.
Each member of the Toyota Cup Team of the Year will receive a $2000 education grant in addition to the grants clubs already receive for education and workplace training.
The inaugural Toyota Cup Player of The Year will be named at next Tuesday’s (September 10) Dally M Awards at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, while the player of the Grand Final will receive the inaugural Jack Gibson Medal.
“The quality of football in the Toyota Cup has captured the attention of everyone in the game,†NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said today.
“It is a unique competition in Australian sport and already it has established itself as a stepping stone for elite junior players to the NRL.
“When fans are looking to see where the game’s next stars are going to come from, they only need to look as far as the Toyota Cup, and players like Chris Sandow, Jordan Rapana, Tony Williams and Masada Iosefa have proven that this season.
“Congratulations to those who have been named in the Toyota Cup Team of the Year and best of luck to all those clubs competing in the upcoming finals series.â€Â
Toyota Cup Manager, Mr Michael Buettner said: “It is a quality team that showcases the depth of talent in the competition and its status as a leading development pathway to the NRL.
“In its first season, 52 players have graduated from the Toyota Cup to the NRL.â€Â
Director of Fox Sports Channels, Mr Tony Sinclair, said the Toyota Cup had won over TV audiences and showcased the exciting junior talent in the game.
“The Toyota Cup has provided a fantastic opportunity for the next crop of NRL stars to be seen on Fox Sports by a national audience every week,†Mr Sinclair said.
“We have also been really happy with the consistent high quality of football each round, which has given Fox Sports’ audience plenty of excitement.â€Â
2008 Toyota Cup Team of the Year
Fullback: Lachlan Coote (Penrith Panthers)
Wing: Jharal Yow Yeh (Brisbane Broncos)
Centre: Justin Carney (Canberra Raiders)
Centre: Tony Williams (Parramatta Eels)
Wing: Kevin Gordon (Gold Coast Titans)
Five-Eighth: Ben Barba (Bulldogs)
Halfback: Chris Sandow (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Prop: Russell Packer (Warriors)
Hooker: Masada Iosefa (Penrith Panthers)
Prop: John Kite (Bulldogs)
Second Row: Joel Thompson (Canberra Raiders)
Second Row: Daniel Harrison (Bulldogs)
Lock: Shaun Fensom (Canberra Raiders)
Interchange: Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos)
Interchange: Matt Mundine (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Interchange: Jordan Rapana (Gold Coast Titans)
Interchange: Ben Matulino (Warriors)
NRL Chief Executive David Gallop today said the Toyota Cup has proven itself to be a blueprint for success against rival codes.
In just one season the Toyota Cup has captivated fans at grounds and on television and today the NRL honoured the stars of the groundbreaking competition’s success with the naming of the Toyota Cup Team of the Year.
Rising NRL stars Chris Sandow, Lachlan Coote, Justin Carney, Jordan Rapana and Tony Williams are among the members of the inaugural Toyota Cup Team of the Year, which will now become an annual tradition as the competition continues to grow in the years to come.
The team – voted for by the 16 Toyota Cup coaches – features 10 players who have played a total of 72 games in the NRL this season, with nine clubs represented in the 17-man squad.
Each member of the Toyota Cup Team of the Year will receive a $2000 education grant in addition to the grants clubs already receive for education and workplace training.
The inaugural Toyota Cup Player of The Year will be named at next Tuesday’s (September 10) Dally M Awards at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, while the player of the Grand Final will receive the inaugural Jack Gibson Medal.
“The quality of football in the Toyota Cup has captured the attention of everyone in the game,†NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said today.
“It is a unique competition in Australian sport and already it has established itself as a stepping stone for elite junior players to the NRL.
“When fans are looking to see where the game’s next stars are going to come from, they only need to look as far as the Toyota Cup, and players like Chris Sandow, Jordan Rapana, Tony Williams and Masada Iosefa have proven that this season.
“Congratulations to those who have been named in the Toyota Cup Team of the Year and best of luck to all those clubs competing in the upcoming finals series.â€Â
Toyota Cup Manager, Mr Michael Buettner said: “It is a quality team that showcases the depth of talent in the competition and its status as a leading development pathway to the NRL.
“In its first season, 52 players have graduated from the Toyota Cup to the NRL.â€Â
Director of Fox Sports Channels, Mr Tony Sinclair, said the Toyota Cup had won over TV audiences and showcased the exciting junior talent in the game.
“The Toyota Cup has provided a fantastic opportunity for the next crop of NRL stars to be seen on Fox Sports by a national audience every week,†Mr Sinclair said.
“We have also been really happy with the consistent high quality of football each round, which has given Fox Sports’ audience plenty of excitement.â€Â
2008 Toyota Cup Team of the Year
Fullback: Lachlan Coote (Penrith Panthers)
Wing: Jharal Yow Yeh (Brisbane Broncos)
Centre: Justin Carney (Canberra Raiders)
Centre: Tony Williams (Parramatta Eels)
Wing: Kevin Gordon (Gold Coast Titans)
Five-Eighth: Ben Barba (Bulldogs)
Halfback: Chris Sandow (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Prop: Russell Packer (Warriors)
Hooker: Masada Iosefa (Penrith Panthers)
Prop: John Kite (Bulldogs)
Second Row: Joel Thompson (Canberra Raiders)
Second Row: Daniel Harrison (Bulldogs)
Lock: Shaun Fensom (Canberra Raiders)
Interchange: Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos)
Interchange: Matt Mundine (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Interchange: Jordan Rapana (Gold Coast Titans)
Interchange: Ben Matulino (Warriors)
