Hard working Manly Warringah Sea Eagles hooker Lachlan Croker has been recognised for his ongoing dedication and commitment to learning with selection in the 2024 NRL Academic Team of the Year.
Croker finished his Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science earlier this season before picking up some bridging subjects through a Bachelor of Educational Studies course to get into a Masters of Teaching degree.
The 27-year-old has already finished these bridging subjects this year and is now starting the Masters of Teaching.
Furthermore, Croker is the Club's Education Ambassador where he helps deliver Wellbeing & Education workshops to pathways teams.
The Academic Player of the Year Award is the pinnacle of those selected in the annual Academic Team of the Year, which incorporates current players from both the senior men's and women's competitions to help inspire and empower all rugby league players to further their education.
The awards have been announced as part of the NRL's Wellbeing & Education Awards, which acknowledge and celebrate the significant amount of dedication, commitment and effort NRL and NRLW players put in to their lives from the field.
Tim Gee, Manly's NRL Wellbeing, Education and Careers Manager, said Croker deserves the accolades he receives.
“Lachlan has shown a genuine and long-term commitment to his academic studies. He is very focused and dedicated,'' Gee said.
“Undertaking the workload of multiple degrees whilst playing elite sport is an achievement in itself, but Lachlan has also been able to achieve regular grades of Distinction or High Distinction in both degrees completed to date which is outstanding.
"As our Education ambassador, Lachlan sits on the Wellbeing committee. He has been consistently proactive delivering education workshops for each of the pathways teams.
“Lachlan recognises the value and engages in all Wellbeing programs, and he genuinely wants the club to improve and be able to provide a high standard of wellbeing for all players at the club from pathways through to NRL”
The Sea Eagles also congratulate the following players nominated in these categories for the NRL Wellbeing & Education Awards.
Pasifika or Indigenous Leadership & Excellence Award: Toff Sipley
Entrepreneurship Player of the Year: Dean Matterson
Academic Player of the Year: Ethan Bullemor
Vocational Player of the Year: Karl Lawton
The complete Academic Team and the main winners of the male and female Academic award, Indigenous Excellence award, Pasifika Excellence award, and Entrepreneur and Vocational awards will be announced at a special NRL/RLPA Academic and Excellence Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, August 21.
