Storm forward Tom Eisenhuth’s continued work to improve his skills and knowledge in his other career has earned him a place in the 2022 Academic Team of the Year announced today by the Rugby League Players’ Association and National Rugby League.
A qualified schoolteacher, Eisenhuth has been balancing his rugby league commitments, completing a Masters of Education through the Australian Catholic University.
In a busy 2022, he also became a father for the first time.
By being selected in the Academic Team of the Year, Eisenhuth is now a contender to win one of two Academic Achievement Awards – one male and one female player – which will be presented on grand final day on Sunday to acknowledge the highest off-field well-being and educational achievements.
RLPA Player Operations Manager Jamie Buhrer praised the 2022 Academic Team of the Year for their achievements on and off the field.
“It is hugely impressive that, despite the continuing increases in training and playing demands for players, that this group has shown such resolute commitment to their career development,” Buhrer said.
“Throughout the year they have remained engaged in their academic studies and have separated themselves from an impressive list of worthy recipients across both the NRL and NRLW playing groups.
“On behalf of the RLPA, I congratulate each player in the 2022 Academic Team of the Year, as we rightly celebrate their academic achievements.”
NRL Wellbeing and Education Manager Paul Heptonstall said the Academic Team of the Year was incredibly important in highlighting the career development of the game’s NRL and NRLW players.
“At the NRL, we’re extremely proud of the players in this team as they are inspiring the next generation of rugby league players in demonstrating that they do not have to choose between a professional sporting career and the pursuit of other career goals,” Heptonstall said.
“The NRL and the RLPA have worked very hard to ensure that players have dedicated careers coaches at every club, mandated time off during the training week for other career pursuits and a pool of education grants to invest in any study program.
“We are pleased to say that over 80 percent of our players are currently engaged in some career preparation activity, and we look forward to that number increasing further in the years to come.”
The 2022 Academic Team of the Year is as follows:
Tom Eisenhuth (Storm) - Masters in Education at Australian Catholic University
Andrew Fifita (Sharks) - Diploma of Counselling in NSW TAFE
Emma Tonegato (Dragons) - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Australian Catholic University
Lachlan Croker (Sea Eagles) - Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice at Griffith University
Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers) - Bachelor of Arts/Global Studies at Australian Catholic University
Brendan Elliott (Cowboys) - Master of Cyber Security at Griffith University
Georgia Page (Knights) - Masters Osteopathic Medicine at University of Newcastle
Hymel Hunt (Knights) - Diploma of Finance Mortgage Brokering at MYFENG
Rhys Kennedy (Broncos) - Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Australian Catholic University
Clint Gutherson (Eels) - Certificate IV in Fitness at Australian College of Sport & Fitness
Tyrell Fuimaono (Dragons) - Cert IV in Building and Construction at Masters in Building and Construction Training
Wayde Egan (Warriors) - Bachelor of Business at Swinburne University
Jocelyn Kelleher (Roosters) - Bachelor of High Performance Sport at Australian Catholic University
