Toowoomba Junior Rugby League Player Profile – William O’Gradey (Brothers Leprechauns)
ONE of Toowoomba’s most competitive clubs the Brother’s Leprechauns have been striving to overcome the small obstacles that Toowoomba’s Junior Rugby League clubs face seasonally, for instance; the extremes of weather from below 0 temperatures in winter or flash floods.
However, regardless of all one of Brother’s 2014 Club Captain William O’Gradey has made every effort to pave his path into a career of rugby league.
Last year, Will was rewarded with Brother’s Rising Star, Best and Fairest and grand final man of the match; while outside of the club he made the Under 15s team and played up in the Under 16s Division for the Clydesdales and was picked in the Under 15s Broncos team.
This year, Will is Brothers club captain, received player of the carnival for Queensland Whites at the National Titles and scored a place at the Brisbane Broncos junior academy which resulted in him signing a full contract with the Brisbane Broncos.
Will has been playing football for most of his life and has been with Brothers for almost 10 years. The Broncos are his favourite NRL team, so he is hoping to fulfil a lifelong dream of a career playing firstly via the Under 20s team.
Although Will’s love of rugby league is strong (and his constant sportsmanship and leadership is on display at every football match); he still prioritises school as being extremely important – especially at his age. Alongside his goal is to play for the Broncos’ Under 20s side, he also aims to finish school.
He advised anyone coming into high school with a dream of a career in football to do the same.
“Stay in school, go to training as much as you can, take any advice from teachers and coaches and when you get told to do something, go home and work on it,” Will said.
“The little extra things are what get you to your dreams”.
In the following year, Will continue to strive to be his best on and off the football field. With his major goal being his Broncos contract, Will O’Gradey is a possible name to look out for in the NRL world in the next five years.
Photo: JD Sporting Photography Toowoomba
