Coles First Nations Pathways profile: Stanley Huen

After Melbourne Storm returned to AAMI Park for the Club’s acknowledgment of Indigenous Round, melbournestorm.com.au are profiling three junior Indigenous players taking part in the Coles First Nations Pathway in 2023.

For the third consecutive year the Coles’ program has provided aspiring Indigenous athletes with support, helping them realise their dreams of becoming a future NRL player.

Complimenting the program’s focus on education, employment and health and wellbeing outcomes, this year's up-and-comers have integrated into the new Storm Academy, undertaking training and development led by coach Matt Duffie, while also featuring in Storm’s Jersey Flegg U21s squad.

An aggressive defender with a strong running game, Stanley Huen has been a part of Storm's junior pathways for the past three seasons.

After graduating from Ipswich Grammar School, he made the move to Melbourne to continue his path to first-grade football, followed by selection in the 2023 QLD U19s Emerging Squad.

With a delayed start to the year due to injury and illness, the junior has showcased his perseverance integrating flawlessly into the inaugural Storm Academy contingent.

“For an 18-year-old, Stanley brings a lot of maturity. He started with us late after missing the pre-season but that hasn’t stopped him from getting up to speed and quickly.” Duffie said.

From the moment he was given the starting six jersey, himself and the team have thrived. He has made a huge difference to the squad since this point.

Scoring a try in Round 2 of the SG Ball 2023 season, before migrating to the Jersey Flegg squad to secure another, Stan has made the most of each opportunity since arriving in Victoria.

“He was given the chance to start in the halves alongside [Keagan Russel-Smith] and has not looked back,” the coach shared.

“He has thrived in a position that demands leadership.

“He also has a thirst to improve his game every day. I am excited about what Stanley can achieve in his career.”

While consistent games and employment education and opportunities have been invaluable to Stan, there’s nothing quite like training with NRL players that gets the motivation going.

“The NRL boys have rallied around them both on and off the field,” Duffie said.

“The lessons they learn from the day-to-day interactions with our NRL players have been invaluable for them. You can see the growth in them as people and players from this.”

Watch this Sunday as the Jersey Flegg squad take on the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks U21s on Gosch’s Paddock from 1.30pm, ahead of Round 15 NRL game at AAMI Park!