A relative of one of rugby league’s greatest players is starting to make a name for herself in the game.
Sunshine Coast’s Alexa Burgess has been selected to join the St George Illawarra Dragons under-18 squad.
She is the cousin of the late great Norm Provan, who won 10 premierships with the St George Dragons in the 1950s and ’60s, and represented Australia from 1954 to 1960. He spent the latter part of his life on the Sunshine Coast.
“I’m excited for the opportunity ahead with the Dragons,” she said.
“I have worked hard with my parents and family, who supported me to get into this position, along with the Caloundra Sharks, Sunshine Coast Falcons, Meridan State College, Queensland Secondary School Rugby League and Rugby League Roo for additional training and pathway opportunity.
“The Sunshine Coast is a wonderful place to live with excellent sporting opportunities and Sunshine Coast players before me have inspired me to attain a position in the NRLW.”
Burgess has impressed in school and club competitions, catching the eye of St George Illawarra NRLW coach Jamie Soward.
Meridan college director Tony Roberts said she was “an outstanding athlete and young person”.
Brook Tenant, the CEO of Rugby League Roo – which specialises in coaching clinics and sports apparel manufacturing – has managed the pathway process for Burgess. She lauded the teenager’s skill and determination.
“Alexa is persistently consistent, a reflection of her excellent family upbringing,” she said.
