Young’s James Schiller has become the latest footy player from the Hilltops to enter the professional ranks of the NRL after recently signing with St George Illawarra Dragons.
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The club approached Schiller earlier this year on the advice of renowned Dragons talent scout Brian Keenan, who had been monitoring his performances.
At the time Schiller had been a standout performer for both the Young Yabbies Rugby Club and the Young Cherrypickers.
His natural ability had already been noted over the past 18 months which resulted in his selection in the ACT Brumbies Elite Development Academy.
This was followed by keen interest from rival NRL clubs Penrith and Canberra however, it was the Dragons who tabled a three-year contract.
As part of the contract James will remain in Young for 2019 to allow him to complete his academic commitments.
The Dragons have also included a clause which allows him to play for the Cherrypickers next season before making the move to Wollongong in November 2019.
“We genuinely believe it is within the best interest of James and the Dragons to allow him to complete his education in his current environment. We would not want him to be removed at such a young age and we are confident he will develop just as effectively playing senior grade country football under Roy Jewitt,” Dragons Recruitment Manager Richard Agar said.
Schiller’s excited to be undertaking a journey into professional sport but he is totally aware of the commitment and sacrifice that will be both expected and required.
“I have already commenced the Dragons off-season training program of track work and gym sessions. It certainly is much more intense than anything I’ve ever done, but I want to arrive at Wollongong as well prepared as possible,” Schiller said.
Although Schiller will only have one more year of football in Young he is quick to acknowledge the support of everyone who has been involved over the years – especially the Young Yabbies.
“I have had some outstanding coaches and sporting figures over the years who have supported me both on and off the field. People such as Ned Mullany, Wally Everdell, John Turner, Mick Hudson, James Shannon, Shane Botham and Roy Jewitt who have been great to me over a long period of time and more recently Matt Murray and Greg Smith have supported me faultlessly during my return to rugby league,” Schiller said.
