The partnership between NRL club the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and North Coast Country Rugby League is already paying dividends for Kempsey talent as they are not only improving on the field, but off it as well.
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The Bulldogs signed a five-year deal in November last year to help develop talented rugby league players on the North Coast, while giving the junior players the option to remain at home.
The Bulldogs have instilled a higher level of coaching, improved pathways and had an impact on the player's lives away from football since the partnership began.
Raymond Chapman, who lines up on the wing alongside fellow Under-16s Kempsey teammates O’shea Tyreman, Timothy Bull, Tyrell Dungay and Bailey Thompson, claims the Bulldogs have had a lasting impact.
"We all agree being involved in the representative side has helped our development," Chapman said.
"But it has also helped us improve as people too. They have taught us life lessons and we have talked a lot about having morals."
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Kaine Parkinson, who is in the Under-18s side with Kempsey boys Miles Monta, Ivan Madden and Ethan Thompson, has been a mainstay in the North Coast representative team for the last three seasons and the fullback has noticed a drastic change.
"It has improved a lot, there's better coaching staff and it's more organised," Parkinson told the Argus.
"There's better footy structures and we have more of an understanding of our roles on the field.
"It was also awesome to meet the Bulldogs coaching staff, including head coach Dean Pay, who passed on plenty of advice."
The Bulldogs have also brought on Kaine's brother Luke as an intern as the strength and conditioning coach for both sides.
Luke is in his final year at the University of New England and has enjoyed the hands-on experience.
"This opportunity has really helped my growth and I am learning from the practical side of things rather than from a text book," Luke said.
The Bulldogs face off with the Central Coast Roosters this Saturday and you can watch the action live at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFK8btN9a1E&fbclid=IwAR1jo--eTzA_ZqoRRYGNJTdMXohUwxBJ-mcpWzdcFwzySZ2bvZpdOBD3a-8
The Under-16s kick off at 10am while the Under-18s follow that match for a 11.20am kick off.
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