Dragons add new degree of skills

The truth is that few have the time or flexibility to undertake regular study, given the demands of their chosen sport.

There are 170 NRL and under 20s players attending university this year - 12 per cent of the entire league.

In the past, it would have been expected that many would drop out of uni in their first year due to footballing commitments.

That could be about to change, thanks to a Graduates of League program established by the University of Wollongong in partnership with the St George Illawarra Dragons and the NRL.

The initiative will allow players to participate in a more flexible, tailor-made timetable, with co-operation from students and tutors, according to program director Dr Sam Jabeile.

‘‘Our ultimate goal for this program at UOW is that every NRL player involved at university will end up attaining some sort of higher education qualification,’’ he said.

‘‘And furthermore to spread that model across all NRL clubs and universities around Australia and New Zealand.’’

Under the program funded by UOW, the club and the NRL, and led by program ambassador Ben Creagh, five top-line Dragons are studying at the university this year - each of them forwards.

‘‘I find it interesting that in our Dragons cohort, I could pack a scrum with our top group of players at the Dragons, and they’re the only ones that attend university,’’ Dr Jabeile laughed.

‘‘It’s an encouragement to our backline to enrol in university as well.’’

Dragons hooker Mitch Rein is a player who previously dropped out of uni midway through his studies.

But thanks to the program, the 21-year-old resumed his Bachelor of Physical and Health Education degree at UOW last week.

‘‘Without the program, it would be a lot harder to juggle all of my commitments,’’ Rein said.

‘‘Last year when I was trying to do it, in my first year in first grade, I was struggling with the timetable and my footy timetables clashing.

‘‘I was by myself and didn’t know what to do so I just stopped going.

‘‘It will be great now with the new program - hopefully it will help a lot more of us complete our courses.’’