
Learning what it takes to represent your state and culture is the outcome NSW Koori Under 16s coach Jake Foster hopes for his team after a two-match tour in New Zealand next week.
The five-day tour includes matches against a NZ Maori U16s side in Auckland on Tuesday and an Auckland Development team on Thursday.
The 19-member squad was selected after a three-day Talented Aboriginal Athlete Program (TAAP) camp, which included trial games, at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence in Sydney last December. (Photo above: Darryn Vaggs)
Foster, who enjoyed four NRL seasons with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Canberra Raiders (2010-2014), is head coach but will be helped by former Parramatta stars Dean Widders and Dennis Moran.
“We want to give these boys a NSW experience – show them what it’s like to represent NSW and the professional standards they need to reach,” Foster told nswrl.com.au
“We want to create that environment so they think ‘This is awesome; this is what I want to do’.
“Obviously we want them to enjoy their time over there and play some decent footy as well. But again, it’s about raising that bar to what it takes to put on a NSW jersey as well as representing community.”
An important element of the trip will be the cultural activities both within the NSW and Maori teams.
“We’ll be trying to drive culture and our (First Nations) heritage into the camp in every way possible,” said Foster, a proud Gamilaroi man.
“Dean and Dennis are very proud Indigenous men and NRL players and they will be onpassing their considerable knowledge as well.”
A captain has not been selected as yet.
“We’ll wait to see how the boys are looking when we start training over there. We want to see who naturally steps out as a leader – then myself and the other coaches will have a conversation,” he said.

Billy Beetson (pictured above), the grandson of Immortal Arthur Beetson who in 1973 became the first person of First Nations heritage to captain an Australian team in any sport, is one of the 18 Koori players.
“Billy is proud of his family,” Foster said. “He just loves his footy and is a bit of an old-school type of player who works hard and likes the rough and tough stuff.”
Beetson is not the only one in the Kooris squad with football royalty in the family. Foster’s father-in-law is Balmain great and True Blue David Brooks.
“He’s a legend and a very humble man,” Foster said. “He never over-steps the mark around my coaching; he’s always been very supportive. It’s awesome.”
Foster, who has played for NSW Residents and the NRL Indigenous All Stars in 2013, is currently coaching Penrith Brothers in NSWRL’s Sydney Shield competition.
“I came out of the All Stars camp just a different person,” he said.
“I was more confident in my identity and my culture and who I wanted to be. I’m hoping that’s the case for the boys next week.”