Using sport as a platform and area of "common ground" with the youth, the ASS program nurtures and guides young players towards becoming admired and respected individuals in their local communities.

By working with the youth, Aussie Sport Stars have become mentors who share valuable knowledge of skills, fitness and values for life which guide the younger generation towards wholesome decision-making and career choices.

Graham (Wombat) Eadie has had a passion for rugby league throughout his entire life. Playing in the 1970s for Manly Sea Eagles Rugby League Football Club and later representing NSW and Australia in Rugby League, Graham has enjoyed a successful career.

After retiring from playing rugby league, Graham's passion and enthusiasm for the sport has never waned. He has been involved in coaching young players and assisting the development of rugby league for many years.

click here for Graham's Career Pathway Profile

Since 2007 Graham has become heavily involved in Aussie Sport Skills. This community-based youth mentoring program has grown from the grass-roots level of regional Australia. It encourages new players to take up the game of rugby league and provides a support network to all players and clubs as they pursue a rugby league pathway. It involves skill development, healthy competition and team building activities to equip young players with skills for life.

SuperStar Touch has grown out of the many hours Graham has spent with Aussie Sport Skills, at the community level consulting key stakeholders within the rugby league fraternity. It is the culmination of a need identified in a number of communities to have a game that develops rugby league skills and is played in a low contact, competitive environment. (Game specific to rugby league without tackling)

SuperStar Touch has proven to be an enticing game for all age groups from the very young (both male and female) to retired "Legends" and current players who need to build fitness levels on returning to the game after injury. It is an excellent off-season and pre-season game to play in local competitions or in training sessions.

For a detailed overview of the development of the Aussie Sport Skills Program and the emergence of the new game "SuperStar Touch" please access links below.

The Background Media Stories & Events :  
The Channel Nine 'That's My Town' Competition (2003)
The NRL 'Coaching Clinic' hosted by Mario Fenech & Matt Reick (2003)
The Parramatta Eels Training Camp in the Brunswick Valley (Feb 2004)
The Mullumbimby Giants Northern Rivers Group 1 Premiership (2004)
The NRL 2min promo on the Mullumbimby Giants Grand Final win after 44yrs (2005)
The Channel Nine Footy Show 'Field of Dreams' grassroots story on the Giants (2005)
The Operation Grassroots Project media launch on the NSW - QLD Border (2006)

Local Rugby League for more info on the stories

News Articles relating to the Rugby League Skills Testing Program...

Reporter : Bob Anthony - Tweed Heads and Gold Coast Regions.

Story 1 : ASS Seagulls JRLFC click here
Story 2 : It's Game On click here 1
Story 3 : Eadie has Vision for Future click here 2

Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah

Reporters : Adam Marshall, Peter Cook, Ron McLean.

Story Click here for Story 1 (ASSC School Preparation)
Story Click here for Story 2 (Legends to attend ASSC)

SuperStar Touch has been developed by the Aussie Sports Skills Development Team, coordinated by Mark Russell, of Aussie Gateways Pty Ltd.

Aussie Sport Skills (a division of Aussie Gateways Pty Ltd) began in August 2007. Its aim was to encourage young sportspersons to develop rugby league skills.

In 2007, Aussie Gateways joined forces with Graham Eadie (former NRL, State of Origin and Australian Rugby League Kangaroo Representative) to develop a non-contact competition which tested students’ rugby league skills. This initiative became known as the Aussie Sport Skills Contest. It was trialed in a number of towns across regional NSW. After students/players had completed the Aussie Sport Skills Competition at Gunnedah NSW, the event organisers felt a non-contact game, which enabled competitors to use their skills in a team situation, would be an excellent way to culminate the event. Hence, after much discussion, Allan Russell (School Teacher at St Mary’s College, Gunnedah, NSW) put pen to paper and formulated, for Aussie Sport Skills, the guidelines and a set of rules for the game.

After a number of trial games were conducted in various towns across NSW & Queensland and with the involvement of school teachers, coaches and former rugby league players such as Graham Eadie, Steve Martin and Phil Sigsworth, the initiative has evolved through a series of discussions and amendments to become a newly established game.