Year 12 student Madisyn Blacker has been named in the inaugural 2024 NRL National School Competitions - QLD Academic Team of the Year. This prestigious award recognises her impressive achievements both on the field and in the classroom, acknowledging her participation in the NRL School Girls National Competition and her academic excellence.

In addition to excelling in rugby league, Madisyn was named a finalist in the Vocational Student of the Year category at the Queensland Training Awards, showcasing her dedication to studies in health, outdoor recreation, fitness, and business.

St James College Rugby League Academy Coach Ana Fotu praised Madisyn’s achievements.

"Madisyn is an inspiration for all our rugby league academy students," Fotu said. "She exemplifies how we want our program to run, with students balancing sport and education as they prepare for life beyond school."

"Madisyn’s ability to apply the lessons learned from sport—such as resilience and persistence—to the classroom is a powerful example of the standards the Academy seeks to uphold," Fotu added.

Madisyn’s dedication serves as an outstanding example for current and future students in the St James College Rugby League Academy.

Gold Coast Titans player Taliah Fuimaono presented the awards to the 13 recipients, highlighting the connection between school players and the broader NRL rugby league community.