The University of Queensland Rugby club have a long history for helping aspiring young Rugby players develop and progress along the Queensland and Australian Rugby pathway.
St.George Queensland Reds flanker Adam Korczyk is a great example of this, having played Premier Colts and Premier Grade at UQ before earning selection in the McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City squad in 2014 and then progressing through to the Reds main squad.
In 2017 young hooker Sean Farrell has emerged as one of the Red Heavies next crop of club Rugby performers, regularly playing between Premier Colts and Premier Grade throughout the first half of the season.
Originally from the Sunshine Coast, Farrell was first introduced to Rugby at the Maroochydore Swans, the same club that has produced former University of Queensland and current Super Rugby hooker Heath Tessman, before continuing his playing career at Sunshine Coast Grammar school.
In 2013 Farrell was recruited by Brisbane Boys’ College, and spent the next three years in the First XV jersey for the school.
In 2016 he toured with the Australian school boys side to Samoa and New Zealand, winning matches against both Tonga and Fiji.
After graduating last year, Farrell was on the hunt for a senior club to join, and a conversion with UQ Premier Colts Coach and General Manager Cameron Chater sealed his fate.
“At the time I was considering Souths and Sunnybank but the culture of the Red Heavies sold me,” said Farrell.
“Playing for the Heavies is an incredible feeling, the older boys have taken me under their wing and have really made me feel at home. It’s also great to be playing with so many BBC old boys."
Having spent time in both the Colts and Premier Grade sides in 2017, as well as earning time in the Queensland U20s, Farrell has tackled each challenge he has come up against.
“When given the opportunity to step up he takes it and gives a good performance,” Chater said.
“He is doing well to handle the pressure of playing both Premier Colts and Premier Grade and is definitely physically capable of playing at this high level.”
When asked about being one of the younger players in Premier Grade, Farrell said: “I thought it was going to be mentally challenging, going up against players like Andrew Ready from the Reds, but the older boys in the team just tell me it’s another game of footy.”
With the Red Heavies losing the services of hookers including Mitch Wade, Matt Randell and Tonga Ma’afu over the past two seasons, Farrell’s arrival at St.Lucia has been timely and the young hooker is fast becoming a regular fixture in the Premier Grade side that is yet to drop a game in 2017.
UQ will this weekend host Norths at home at St.Lucia, with Premier Colts kicking off at 1:30pm and Premier Grade kicking off at 3:20pm.
