The Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League 18 Years National Championships wrapped up at Kayo Stadium last week with the staging of the grand final, where NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) took out the Under 18 Championship Final against NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) with a 40-10 win.  

Throughout the nine days of the carnival, teams featuring the best schoolboy players in the country battled it out for top honours. 

Amongst that group of elite junior footballers was Fletcher Hunt from Warren NSW, wearing the number 15 jersey for NSW CHS. 

“It’s a great honour to be selected for the NSW CHS team,” said mum Erin Hunt. “We’re very proud of all that Fletcher has achieved so far.”   

The team played three games during the carnival, including the final, so Fletcher’s days were mostly filled with recovery, training, and yet more training.

To Fletcher, a self-motivated and determined young man heading towards his dream of playing with the NRL, hard work means more opportunity. 

“The games we played were really fast, everything was very professional,” said Fletcher.  “As a team we gelled well, because we were all there with the same goal, to play the best footy that we could.”  

Fletcher’s journey towards the upper echelons of rugby league is a tale of passion, determination, and self-discipline, as well as a reminder about the importance of having a great support team behind you.  

His achievements to date seem even more remarkable, given that they have been made from his ‘home’ base in western NSW, with the support of his close-knit family and the local footy club. 

Fletcher started his sporting career as a young boy, playing for the Warren Junior Bulldogs. As with most clubs, dad Danny was coach and president, and mum Erin was canteen manager, president, and even assistant coach of the U7s whilst dad was busy coaching Fletcher’s older brother. 

Danny took over the coaching duties when Fletcher reached the U8s, ultimately taking the team on to three premiership wins. Fletcher, showing his talent early on, was awarded ‘Player with Most Potential’. 

Amongst the mentors who have been there since those early days is Warren football identity Tony ‘Wooly’ Woolnough, whose own sons have enjoyed considerable success in the rugby league arena. “Wooly has always been there, giving good advice and encouraging me,” said Fletcher. 

At the age of 13, he transferred across to the Nyngan Tigers JRLC and enjoyed a successful career there as a junior, including a couple of grand final wins. 

Mum Erin says that they are thankful to have found such a great, supportive club to be a part of. 

“The Nyngan footy community have been so welcoming and supporting of Fletcher and his brother and took them under their wings,” she said. 

At that club, Fletcher found many mentors, both coaches and players.  

“Some of the guys who really made a difference to my game are Trevor ‘Red’ Waterhouse, Jacob Neil, and Dean ‘Knock’ Black. If Knock says I’ve had a good game, then I really know I did!” he laughed.   

ABOVE: Erin Hunt and son Fletcher at his jersey presentation for the CHS team. 

“These guys were all so dedicated to making sure that kids have the opportunity to play footy,” said Erin, underscoring how important volunteers are in these small communities. “Brendan Smith was one who was so dedicated in ensuring that local kids all got to play footy.

"The Nyngan club were all so welcoming, nothing was too hard. What people need to realise is that without that degree of commitment, out here in the west, children wouldn’t get to play footy. 

"You can have all the talent in the world, but without someone to help you along the way, you won’t make it. Fletcher has been lucky enough to have had inspirational coaches and trainers like Lonse, Fisky, Griffo and Kenno.” 

Fletcher also credits teammates who have been a source of encouragement and support to him, including Warren based rep players Braith Boyd, Harry Hammond, and Aiden Bermingham, as well as Will and Cooper Black from Nyngan. “They’ve all taught me heaps,” he said.  

In addition to the school rugby league pathway, Fletcher had the opportunity to participate in a variety of Western NSW RL development programs, offered in the first instance by Dubbo & District Junior Rugby League.  

“Playing with these development squads was great,” said Fletcher. “I really enjoyed the trips away to play footy as I had never done that before. Everyone knows what they’re doing, everyone knows their jobs on the field, and they listen to the coach!” 

Fletcher ultimately made it to the Western Rams, playing with their U18s side where coach Shane Rodney ‘tweaked’ his game, encouraging him to play a different position. “It ended up being very beneficial and suited my game more, giving me more freedom on the field.” 

Whilst with the Western Rams and the Group XI representative side, Fletcher began to attract serious interest from a variety of NRL clubs. 

 As well as playing with the Nyngan Tigers U18s, he also plays for their first-grade side, starting from the bench. “The opportunity that coach James Tuitahi has given Fletcher to grow and develop by playing alongside these more experienced players has been so beneficial,” said Erin. 

It was whilst playing club footy that he was approached by an agent from Pacific Sports Management (PSM), one of Australia's leading Sports Management companies, ultimately inking a deal with them. “Interest in Fletcher progressed in Wollongong (at the NSW school championships), where offers started to be put on the table,” explained Erin. “This is where having a manager was invaluable in respect to navigating the offers coming his way.” 

When asked what advice he could give young players in the western region who also aspire to great things, Fletcher had this to say.  “I have always been focused on footy, either training, recovering or playing,” he said.  “I’ve stayed 100% focused on my dream to be in the NRL and I’ve made choices not to risk that. I’m lucky I’ve got good mates who have respected that and have supported me.” 

As Fletcher left the interview to go fishing with a mate, his other favourite pastime, Erin reaffirmed her strong view that talent alone is not enough. 

“A couple of years ago, Fletcher realised that he needed to step up a level with eating well, being disciplined about fitness and exercise and understanding that being gifted is not enough. 

"You need to be resilient and self-motivated. Most of his teammates from NSW CHS are already signed to clubs and being city based, have had a lot more development and opportunities than Fletcher has had.  

“That’s one reason we are so grateful to our local club, Nyngan, for stepping up and providing so much support. From the large numbers (of players) participating at club level, the competition gets whittled down and becomes more intense as you go along. 

"Even making it to this stage, Fletcher knows that only a few will make it to the NRL. There are players who are originally from Warren that have made an initial signing with an NRL club, but due to injury or other factors, never made it onto an NRL side. Fletcher hopes that he will be the one to change that and he knows that he still has a long, hard road ahead of him.” 

Another obstacle that players and their families in the west must overcome is the tyranny of distance. Whether it be driving a 160km round trip several times a week for training or taking a week off work to travel interstate to attend an elite sporting event, a considerable investment of both time and money is required.  

Fletcher has been fortunate to receive support from the Neil family of Nyngan, who have a history of assisting players from remote areas to achieve their sporting dreams. “I’m really grateful for their support,” he said. “It means a lot to me.” 

Fletcher has now accepted a three-year deal from the Newcastle Knights which means a move away to the coast at the end of 2023. “I’ll be trialing for a spot on the Knight’s SG Ball side,” he said, the next goal already in sight as he continues chasing after the ultimate prize of playing with the NRL.