He's dedicated, committed and eager to pursue a career in coaching.
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17-year-old Gulgong product, Kurt Ellis has signed up to partake in a program as part of the Peter Moore Academy run by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
The junior league program offers 10 to 14 year olds the opportunity to experience being coached by Bulldogs Head Coach Dean Pay while also inviting those interested in coaching to join in.
Ellis is the only person from the Central West district who will travel a round trip of eight hours once a month just to have the opportunity to push his coaching career one step further.
"After getting an understanding of his story and what kind of commitment he was prepared to make, it would be ridiculous if we didn't provide him with the opportunity to partake in our academy," General Manager of Canterbury-Bankstown Junior League, Nathan Mairleitner said.
To have someone come from the country with the care factor, the attitude and respect to want to be able to improve them self but be a genuinely good person and mentor in rugby league in general is beyond belief.
- Nathan Mairleitner
"Obviously there's that close link with Josh Jackson being from Gulgong so it's kind of keeping it linked with that country root," Bulldogs spokesperson.
The opportunity couldn't have been any more perfect for Kurt who just so happens to be an avid Bulldogs supporter.
"Mum told about it and it's the team I go for so I had to sign up," he said.
"I support the Bulldogs all the way, so it really worked out."
Ellis was taken by the idea of coaching at a young age and also suffered leg injuries that prevented him from playing rugby league making the path to coaching more clear.
"I started off helping my PE teacher when he was coaching the under 8s a couple of years ago and I really liked it," Kurt said.
"Then last year I helped coach the under 16s league tag girls and I'll be back at it again this year.
I just like sharing what I know with others. I learn lots of things then pass it on so everyone learns lots of things.
- Kurt Ellis
Kurt has the support of both of his parents, Brad and Suzi, who insist on helping in anyway possible to ensure he reaches his goals.
"This is what Kurt has a passion for and it's really clear," Suzi Ellis said.
"He's a sponge with anything to do with football, he'll soak it in.
"He gave up playing because he had some leg issues so for him to not ditch the sport and then to go and make some good out of a bad situation, it makes us really proud.
This is just an amazing opportunity. We actually didn't think he would get accepted because he's not from down there but once they heard how much he enjoys what he does they rang and said that he's the kid they want to help to get a leg up.
- Suzi Ellis
Kurt's firsts appearance at the Peter Moore Academy will be on April 8th as part of the media launch.
"I'm just really keen to get there and see what it's like," he said.
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
