Under 16s Australian Exchange, 2004-5

Stanley Rangers webmaster caught up with Rockhampton State High School year 11 students Raymond Garrett and Robert Chelepy after their first game for Stanley Rangers Under 16s on December 5th. The pair was selected to represent the school in this exchange after excelling on the sporting fields this year.

Robert and Raymond are accompanied by Mr Brodie, the joint Head of Year 11 from Rockhampton State High School. They began their stay by attending the Tri-Nations Final at Elland Road where they saw a resounding Australian victory.They are staying with Outwood Grange College pupils Taron Wildey and James Davey and attending lessons with them. They are also studying for an IT course whilst they are at the College. They will both be playing with the Outwood Grange College rugby league team. Robert, who is staying with Taron ("Taz"), and Raymond who is staying with James are also attending training sessions at Stanley Rangers and at the English rugby league clubs their hosts are signed with - Taron at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, where he is signed with the club and James who is currently on a scholarship with Castleford Tigers.

At today's game, Raymond played on the wing and at full back,whilst Robert was at stand-off - the Australian position five-eight. Both boys enjoyed the game which resulted in a win for Stanley against Churwell Chiefs Under 16s 38-12.

Both boys said how much they were enjoying their stay but commented on how cold it is in England! They return home on January 25th 2005.

Update (March 2005)

The second part of the exchange between the boys will take place in June when Taz and James will be travelling out to Rockhampton. They will be attending Rockhampton High School and playing rugby with the clubs that Rob and Raymond train at. They will also be attending the third of this year’s State of Origin games. It will be held in Brisbane on the 6th of July.

Update (May 2005)

Photo of Andrew, Ray, Nathan and Ross sent from Rockhampton High School.

Please click on each photo to see a larger version of the picture. Glossy prints of these photos at different sizes can be obtained from the webmaster. Please [ email ] for further details.

Stanley Rangers U16s, with team secretary Shane Fordham	Taron Wildey, Raymond Garrett, James Davey and Robert Chelepy (L to R)
Taron Wildey, Raymond Garrett, James Davey and Robert Chelepy (L to R)	Raymond and Robert.
Ray and Robert in the their Australian Rules Football gear. They had just finished playing in a Wednesday afternoon interschool game (Photo courtesy of Robert Brodie, Rockhampton High School, March 2005)	Andrew, Ray, Nathan and Ross (L to R). Photo courtesy of Robert Brodie, Rockhampton High School, May 2005.