Four promising Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) squad members have been given the opportunity to play for the Noosa Pirates in the upcoming 2013 season. Test player and front rower Kalpat Steedman will be joined by five-eighth/fullback Robert Franklin, hooker Tonny Lui and front rower/lock James Wilfred on the idyllic Sunshine Coast tourist spot of Noosa.

The four players will play alongside two former NRL stars in Captain-Coach Noel Goldthorpe and Scott Hill. The players will also have access to and the chance to impress National Head Coach and former NRL player Dane Campbell who is President of the club.

National Head coach Dane Campbell said it was the perfect place for all four players to be placed “The players will get great coaching and the opportunity to learn from some very experienced players.”

“We’ve identified areas of improvement for each player to develop at their time with the Pirates and hopefully this experience will provide each player with the chance to further their chances of representing the Vanuatu national team for our international games scheduled in October”.

Pirates coach Noel Goldthorpe added “They’ve been given a great opportunity and now it is up to them to make the most of it. I am looking forward to working with them and seeing how they develop throughout the season”.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Kalpat Steadman said “This is a wonderful opportunity to play Rugby League in a high class competition and receive high quality coaching.”

“VRL has provided this wonderful opportunity for all of us.”

“I was lucky enough to play in the inaugural Test match vs Greece last October and it was truly a wonderful experience. This year I will be looking to put myself in the best position to be part of the squad at the end of the year. I know the other three boys are also just as determined to win their Test debut”.

Noel Goldthorpe is a former NRL player with the Western Suburbs Magpies, St.George Dragons, Hunter Mariners, Adelaide Rams and North Queensland Cowboys. Goldthorpe played 182 NRL games over his career, which included the 1992, 93 and 96 Grand Finals for St.George and 3 games for NSW in 1997.

Scott Hill played in the NRL with Canterbury Bulldogs, Hunter Mariners and Melbourne Storm and in the English Super League (ESL) with the London Harlequins. Hill played 200 NRL and 43 ESL games over his career, including the 2006 Grand Final with Melbourne and was part of Melbourne’s inaugural Premiership squad in 1999, missing the game through injury but helping them to a World Club Challenge victory over Wigan in 2000. Hill had a distinguished representative career playing 5 games for NSW from 2000 to 2002 and 10 games for Australia from 2000 to 2004.

The Pirates begin their Pre-Season competition in early April with a fixture against close rivals Gympie Devils, so be sure to check out www.vanuaturl.com or follow the VRL’s Facebook page for updates on Kalpat, Robert, Tonny and James and to follow their journey.