Ahead of the commencement of the 2024 NSWRL Junior Representative season this weekend, Melbourne Storm’s Harold Matthews and Jersey Flegg teams received their jerseys from Melbourne Storm Head Coach Craig Bellamy and club icon Tawera Nikau last night.
Bellamy and Nikau addressed both squads before presenting them with their jerseys, with Nikau joining several other former Storm players including Robbie Kearns, Danny Williams, Robbie Ross, Ben Roarty, and Peter Robinson in attendance.
Nikau, a pivotal figure in Storm’s inaugural 1999 Premiership, earned Life Membership of the club last year and shared valuable advice with the upcoming generation of Storm talent.
Current first-grade players Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jonah Pezet, Eliesa Katoa, Grant Anderson, and Bronson Garlick were also present to demonstrate their support.
In a first for the club in its 26-year history, 2024 will witness a comprehensive men’s pathways system in the NSWRL competition, with Storm fielding teams in the U17s, U19s, U21s, and feeder levels.
Both the U17s and U19s will commence their 2024 campaign against the North Sydney Bears at Hills Grammar on Saturday, with Storm’s Harold Matthews team initiating proceedings at 1pm.
Storm’s Jersey Flegg squad will launch their season in the first week of March against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Both squads have had the privilege of training alongside the NRL Squad in recent weeks, with the club hosting two open training sessions in Pakenham and Truganina, and another scheduled to take place in Broadmeadows in a few weeks.
