In a positive result for the Sharks pathways and academy system and in a fitting reward for those selected, three Sharks contracted players have been named in the Australian Schoolboys team and one to represent the Australian Schoolgirls.
Following the national championship held in Coffs Harbour last week, Endeavour High's Thomas Dellow and Jake White, along with Callum Grantham who attends Newington College, were chosen to play for the Australian Schoolboys against Papua New Guinea later in the year, while Felila Fakalelu was a standout performer for NSW CHS in the girls competition and selected in the Australian Schoolgirls squad.
Sharks Development & Pathways Manager Glenn Brailey attended the carnival in northern NSW and was impressed by the performances of all the Sharks academy and pathways players on show.
"To have three of our boys in a selected squad of 18 is a great result for the players and for the Club," Brailey said. "We are extremely proud of their efforts as there was a lot of talent on display up in Coffs Harbour.
"All boys played really well throughout the week, so it was a great reward for a lot of their hard work, not only during the week but also during the season and leading up to the carnival."
Dellow, a hard-working lock and middle forward, was included in the Australian Schoolboys team for a second consecutive year. He was also named player of the series at the national All Schools carnival, won by Queensland.
As for the other two Sharks representatives, a front rower from Waitara, Taranaki in New Zealand, White was spotted by Brailey and brought into the Sharks system earlier this year, playing the 2025 season for the club's SG Ball side, while Grantham, who played for Combined Independent Schools in Coffs Harbour, was also a member of the Sharks under-19 squad and is a talented, goal-kicking half-five eighth.
Endeavour Sports High students Sidney Truong, Blake Watman and Hudsyn Frost were also in Coffs Harbour as members of the NSW CHS team.
In relation to the Schoolgirls, Felila Fakalelu forced her way into the Australian team when named player of the tournament and final for the winning NSW CHS outfit.
A prop forward who attends Westfields Sports High and currently in her second season playing local league with Cronulla Caringbah, as explained by Sharks NRLW & Female Pathway Manager Casey Bromilow, the national selection has continued an outstanding season, one that is still continuing.
"Felila was Lisa Fiaola player of the year and our Female Pathways Player of the Year in 2024," Bromilow said. "She also stepped up and played Tarsha Gale this year and is now training with our Harvey Norman NSW Premiership team and is close to making her debut."
2025 U18 Australian Schoolboys Team
1. Cameron Bamblett (Parramatta Eels)
2. Filipe Fakauaho (Sydney Roosters)
3. Toby Winter (Newcastle Knights)
4. Dayne Jennings (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
5. Antonie Verhoeven (Brisbane Broncos)
6. Callum Grantham (Cronulla Sharks)
7. Toby Batten (The Dolphins)
8. Jackson Koina (Brisbane Broncos)
9. Liam Bell (Sydney Roosters)
10. Jake White (Cronulla Sharks)
11. Pheonix Godinet (Wests Tigers)
12. Darcy Smith (Sydney Roosters)
13. Thomas Dellow (Cronulla Sharks)
Interchange
14. Hayden Watson (Melbourne Storm)
15. Roman Tuaimau (Canberra Raiders)
16. Xzavier Timoteo (Sydney Roosters)
17. Christoper Petrus (Parramatta Eels)
18. David Bryenton (Canterbury Bulldogs)
2025 U18 Australian Schoolgirls Team
1. Mia Vaotu'ua (Sydney Roosters NRLW)
2. Gabriella Savage (Canberra Raiders NRLW)
3. Halle Barrett (St George Illawarra Dragons NRLW)
4. Anastasia Leatupue (Sydney Roosters NRLW)
5. Logan Fletcher (Sydney Roosters NRLW)
6. Skye Spencer (St George Illawarra Dragons NRLW)
7. Torah Luadaka (Gold Coast Titans NRLW)
8. Ella Walker (Wests Tigers NRLW)
9. Diamond Graham (Gold Coast Titans NRLW)
10. Mamele Misa (Brisbane Broncos NRLW)
11. Stella Lewis (Newcastle Knights NRLW)
12. Deleni Paitai (Brisbane Broncos NRLW)
13. Amanii Misa (Brisbane Broncos NRLW)
Interchange
14. Evelyn Roberts (Canterbury Bulldogs NRLW)
15. Felila Fakalelu (Cronulla Sharks NRLW)
16. Emily McArthur (Newcastle Knights NRLW)
17. Aliahana Fuimaono (Canterbury Bulldogs NRLW)
18. Stevie Botham (Newcastle Knights NRLW)
