Courtesy of the North West Star - By Courtney Ward
Brodie Germaine has capped off his last year of schooling at Good Shepherd Catholic College in impressive fashion.
The 17-year-old received four awards – sports academy year 12 winner in Queensland, sports academy overall winner in every grade in Queensland, spirit in sports award year 12 Good Shepherd Catholic College and the highly commendable indigenous youth leadership program scholarship – for his efforts this year.
Brodie will now move to Townsville where he will attend Ignatius Park College on a rugby league scholarship.
“I started playing rugby league when I was nine years old for Townies (Mount Isa) Rugby League Club and have played ever since,” Brodie said.
“One of my favourite memories in the sport was in the Townies colours, all those years ago.
“I can remember scoring my first try at age nine for Townies when it was pouring down with rain.”
Brodie’s second greatest achievement in the sport of rugby league was when he was selected for the First XIII for Ignatius Park College, to play against Bentley Park and Northern Pride under 18s in Cairns.
“I have always wanted to make a name for myself in rugby league and knew that there wasn’t enough opportunities in Mount Isa compared to Townsville,” Brodie said.
“After seeing my friends from Mount Isa transfer over to Ignatius Park College, I was jealous and wanted to be part of it.
“I was originally looking to go to Ignatius Park in year 10 onwards, but wasn’t able to at the time.
“Since I missed out on this opportunity, mum and the principal from Ignatius Park College were willing for me to repeat year 12 for educational purposes, cultural experiences, sports and self-discipline.
“As mum and dad filled out numerous forms, I was requested for an interview to attend in 2015.
“The interview was successful as Mr Conn, the principal from Ignatius Park, accepted my enrolment for year 12 in 2015.
“I have worked a long time for this and will show that this opportunity means a lot to me, and that I have sacrificed a lot to prove to myself and others how much I want this.”
Brodie, who started out as a hooker and five-eighth, has recently moved into the back row.
“Growing up as a five-eighth, my favourite player was Darren Lockyer,” he said.
“But since I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to model my game more on Sam Burgess.
“The way he attacks the line, muscles up on defence and his tireless hard-working attitude are something I aspire to be like.”
Brodie, whose greatest achievement is making his run on debut for Black Stars Rugby League Club, tries to get a balance in his life.
“Apart from football, I like playing music, in particular the guitar, and playing chess,” he said.
“I stay fit by going to the gym, playing cricket for Townview and playing touch football.”
Brodie’s father Az Germaine has been a big influence on his career, as has his whole family.
“My family has been the biggest influence on my career, as they would always support me on all my trips away,” Brodie said.
“They put me in the right mindset to always play hard and do this for them.
“I will always remember the advice my dad gave me when I was younger to back my own ability and be myself.’’
Brodie will hope that 2015 at Ignatius Park College will be a springboard to a professional career in rugby league.
“My dream is to make it into Queensland's Intrust Super Cup to play for either Ipswich Jets, Redcliffe Dolphins, Easts Tigers or Burleigh Bears,” he said.
TEAMS BRODIE GERMAINE HAS PLAYED FOR (2003- 2014)
■ Under 9s- under 11s Townies Rugby League Club
■ Under 11s Mount Isa Mini Miners- Laurie Spina Shield/Townville
■ Under 12s till Under 19s Black Stars Rugby League Club
■ Under 12s North West Cowboys Development team - NASCA/Townsville
■ Under 12s Mount Isa Miners - NQ Marlins Trials/Cairns
■ Under 12s North Western Red Bucks - QLD Indigenous Carnival/Gladstone
■ Under 13s Mount Isa/Mid-West- NQ Championships/Cairns
■ Under 14s North Western Red Bucks- QLD Indigenous Carnival/Brisbane
■ Under 14s Mount Isa Miners-NQ Championships/ Townsville
■ Under 14s Mount Isa Outback- Tommie Tassel Trophy Challenge
■ Under 15s Northern Outback - NQ Championships/Mackay
■ Under 15s North West team- State Championships/Toowoomba
■ Under 15s Mount Isa United- Murri Knockouts/ Ipswich
■ Under 16s Northern/ Qld Outback trials/Longreach
■ Under 15/16s Queensland Outback- Qld rugby league carnival/ Maroochydore Sunshine Coast
■ Under 16s Northern/Qld Outback trials/Barcaldine
■ Under 16s Queensland Outback team and captain-Qld rugby league carnival/Caloundra Sunshine Coast
■ Opens Good Shepherd Catholic College Confraternity Team- Confraternity Shield/Townsville
■ Under 18s President’s XIII team- State Championships/ Mackay
Opens Confraternity Good Shepherd Catholic College team and captain - Confraternity Shield/ Gold Coast (2014)
■ Ignatius Park First XIII-Cairns Tour/Cairns (2014)
