Four outstanding young leaders have been selected to represent the Canberra Raiders at the 2026 NRL Indigenous Youth Leadership Summit, continuing the club's commitment to empowering the next generation of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori leaders.
Representing the Raiders at this year's summit are Renee Rose and Serena Walker from St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra, Holly Johnson from Mulwaree High School, Goulburn and Thomas Cole from Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn
Ahead of the summit, the students attended the Raiders Centre to receive their official summit polos and had the opportunity to meet with Canberra Raiders NRL players Xavier Savage and Daine Laurie.
The National Rugby League's Indigenous Youth Leadership Summit will be held on the lands of the Dharawal people in Western Sydney from Wednesday, August 12 to Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The annual summit brings together Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Year 11 students from every NRL club, providing a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills while strengthening cultural identity and building lifelong connections with peers from across Australia and New Zealand.
As part of the program, participants will take part in a series of interactive workshops, cultural activities and group discussions designed to encourage young people to value their education and aspire to meaningful employment, training or further study, while embracing their unique culture and identity.
The Canberra Raiders have proudly supported the initiative over many years as part of the club's ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for First Nations youth both on and off the field. Through programs like the Indigenous Youth Leadership Summit and the School to Work program, the Raiders continue to invest in developing future leaders by promoting education, cultural pride and personal growth.
The club congratulates Renee, Serena, Holly and Thomas on their selection and looks forward to seeing them represent the Canberra Raiders and their communities at this year's summit.
