About the St James College Rugby League Academy

The St James College Rugby League Academy was established following significant interest and achievements by students in both girls and boys football.

The vision for the academy is to promote excellence in rugby league and develop elite athletes, and future leaders and contributors through their experience of sport. 

The academy draws inspiration from the college’s tradition of 'BRAVE & BOLD' rugby players, dating back to their first premiership win in 1921. This mantra motivates the academy and its students to strive for excellence in sportsmanship both on and off the field.

Students train with expert coaches, receive in-school support and mentoring, play in premier tournaments, including the Confraternity Shield, and graduate with qualifications for their future.

The programs allow students to blend their classroom education with their passion for rugby league, and is structured so students can manage their studies and training commitments, so they can give their best both on and off the field.

Meet Ana Fotu
Rugby Sport Development Officer

Ana is a successful and highly accredited women’s rugby league coach. In 2023, she was the QRL Winner for Female Contribution to the Game. She has served as an NRL Game Development Officer, Coach Developer, and Broncos Girls Academy Coordinator. Ana was the head coach for QLD City Under 17s and has coached numerous community teams. Her success in coaching students stems from her belief that team sport is about setting a culture of high standards and values for players to live by. A natural mentor, Ana believes that being part of the academy is not just about coaching—it’s about mentoring and imparting standards and values. Her goal is to ensure players are skilled, strong, and resilient, and that through the program, students experience success on the field, in their studies, and build life skills that will serve them in their future careers.

Meet Brenko Lee
Rugby Sport Development Officer

Brenko is an accomplished rugby league player with experience at state, national, and international levels. A member of the Melbourne Storm’s 2020 NRL Grand Final-winning team, he has also represented Tonga and played for top NRL clubs, including the Redcliffe Dolphins, Brisbane Broncos, and Gold Coast Titans. Brenko works with students to enhance their physical strength, game skills, and deepen their knowledge of the game, and is dedicated to promoting excellence both on and off the field. Drawing on his experience with coaching legends Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy, he mentors students in building discipline and positive habits for peak performance. Brenko is committed to helping students grow as athletes and individuals. His focus extends beyond game skills and strategy to shaping players into leaders in their communities, preparing them to succeed in both rugby and life.