Congratulations to Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players Ethan Bullemor and Toafofoa Sipley who have both been nominated for the upcoming League Ahead Academic Excellence Awards.
The annual awards celebrate academic achievement, leadership and excellence across the NRL and NRLW competitions with recipients to be honoured at the annual Wellbeing and Education Awards Night.
The Awards are delivered by League Ahead, a new stand stand-alone entity which was established to oversee and deliver wellbeing and education support for all contracted NRL and NRLW players.
Bullemor has been nominated for the Academic Team of the Year and Sipley for a Pasifika Leadership Award.
Both players have plenty on their plate, balancing careers as professional sportsmen with several other interests outside of football.
As well as busting tackles ‘Bull’ is regularly crunching numbers, working one day a week in the financial world with prominent Sydney firm, Regal Funds Management.
Ethan Bullemor on the importance of education
It’s been quite a journey for Bullemor, who is from a small town of just 950 people outside of Emerald, Queensland. And the 25-year-old is extremely grateful to those who have helped him along the way.
I’ve been fortunate to have plenty of support, both here at Manly and through the NRL and the RLPA.
Ethan Bullemor
“This has enabled me to complete a degree in finance and economics which I finished a couple of years ago, and I’m also completing my Masters in Business Administration.
“The NRL and the RLPA provide financial support through their grants and different programs that they've run over the years, so that’s been a huge help for me.”
Sipley also has his hands full away from footy, even more so now that he’s a dad.
Toff and his wife Nancy celebrated the arrival of their first child in June, a healthy baby boy, Jeremiah.
Alongside his football (and changing nappies), Sips has been completing a Certificate 4 in Elite Athlete Wellbeing Management from the Wellbeing Science Institute.
Already a degree-qualified teacher, the 30-year-old prop has been preparing for life after footy for some time now.
“I always wanted to get the education I needed for when the time comes that I hang up the boots, and that’s what I’ve done,” Sipley said.
“With the help of the club I’ve been able to do the Cert 4 on top of a Bachelor of Education degree I completed back in 2019.
I strongly recommend all young players explore other interests and continue their self-development.
Toafofoa Sipley
John Bonasera has seen a lot in his time at the Sea Eagles over the past seven years, working very closely with the playing and coaching staff.
As the club’s Wellbeing & Education Manager, Bonasera finds it richly rewarding to see players broaden their horizons.
Bull and Toff are great examples of players who want to do more, become more, and explore more.
John Bonasera
“They recognise the importance of preparing for life after football and have used the resources available to them to achieve this.”
The 2025 Academic & Excellence Awards Night is being held on Tuesday 19th August at Sydney Olympic park.
