Resilient, tough, hard-working and community are all key attributes to the six Western Clydesdales’ captains for 2023.

Left to Right: Mackenzie Zeller, Braithen Scott, Darcy Carswell, Darryn Schonig, Kai Williamson-Duggan, Matt Moore

Darryn Schonig, who is the first Western Clydesdales Cup Team captain since their return to the Queensland Cup, brings a whole new level of experience to the team.

At 26, the hard hitting forward has had plenty of Queensland Cup experience having played for the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Northern Pride as well as being signed with the Bulldogs and part of their pre-season training this year.

Schonig moved to Toowoomba earlier this year. Although he hasn’t been here long his knowledge and experience of the game has seen him shine as a true leader.

“I was super honoured to be named captain. Jason (Alchin – head coach) asked me to do it just before our first trial against the Bulldogs,” Schonig said.

“I was a late bloomer in footy as I didn’t start playing until I was 12, and I didn’t show much promise until I was about 15 when I got the inspiration to make the goal of being a footballer and to one day play in the nrl.

“So, to be given this opportunity to lead captain the Cup team is a special moment and I am really looking forward to it.”

Schonig said the culture of the team and the whole club was very strong.

“We have got a great bunch of boys in the Cup squad and there’s a good feeling getting around the club. All our training has been hard and everyone’s been buying in.”

Schonig said he was really looking forward to playing a year of consistent footy and doing whatever he could to get the Clydesdales on the map as a quality Queensland Cup side.

Under 21s

In the Under 21s, there have been two captains named – Darcy Carswell and Kai Williamson-Duggan.

Carswell said when the captain announcement was made he was “pretty stoked”

“I’ve played for the Clydesdales since I was little so it’s a great honour and to be able to do it with the team and the coaching staff we have makes it even better. We’ve got a great group and I can’t wait for the year ahead,” he said.

“I chose rugby league over other sports very early on and I think it was just the competitiveness and mateship that’s within the game is what appealed to me and I am so glad I did!

“Being a footballer has always been the dream especially when you’ve come from a region that’s produced a high quality of players like Jake Simpkin, Brodie Croft and Andrew McCullough to name a few.

“Growing up I looked up to players like Matt Scott and more recently Cameron Murray for the way the play the game and prepare themselves. But also, at how they hold themselves off the field and what they do for others.”

Carswell said he really looking at chasing a successful season with the team and long term I’m always looking to learn, move up in terms of teams and ever improve.

“But at the moment I’ve got some learning to do and I’m thankful I’ve got the coaches I have and an amazing team to do it with and I would love to go far as I can with the Clydesdales and I’ll take each opportunity as it comes,” he said.

For the talented Williamson-Duggan, leading comes naturally to the key playmaker of the Under 21s.

“It is very special to be a part of Clydesdales first year back in the Queensland Cup and I was definitely pretty proud when I found out I was going to be co-captain of the Colts this year,” he said.

“Being a leader is something I enjoy and take pride in so I’m very excited to lead the boys this year. I am really looking forward to getting back and playing good footy in the halves after a few years at hooker and I would love to us to make the finals.

“We really want to show the younger kids coming through that you don’t need to move away to taste success.”

Rugby league has always been Williamson-Duggan’s number one sport growing up until he was 16 when rugby union came calling in Year 11 at Downlands where he played in the First XV for two years followed by a year of union in Brisbane.

“I came back to league to play with my uncles at Wattles in the Toowoomba Rugby League and we won the premiership last year which was surreal beside so many of my family,” he said.

“Being a professional footballer is obviously every kids dream who plays but I’m still a long way short of that and have lots to do and learn so I’m looking forward to really testing myself week In week out this year against the best kids my age and hopefully seeing the team be successful.”

Womens Under 19s

For the Under 19 Women’s team, Mackenzie Zeller will lead them out.

“I am very honoured and feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to captain the Western Clydesdales Under19 Women’s as there are a lot of other girls that would have done an awesome job leading the team as well,” Zeller said.

“I’m trying to lead by example and put the team first, but at the end of day we are all still learning including myself so just developing together and being someone the girls can come to is the biggest thing.”

The aspiring National Rugby League Women’s player said she tried lots of different sports growing up and it wasn’t until she was 14 when she found rugby league.

“I tried a lot of different sports from bmx to touch football and taekwondo, to soccer and whole lot more… but because I was always a stronger body type and always way too rough my parents signed me up for the u14s TJRL (Toowoomba Junior Rugby League) girls,” she said.

“I travelled to Brisbane every weekend to play and it just grew from there and the community and friendships you make with rugby league is truly like no other sport.”

This year Zeller is focusing on “getting the little things right” in the hope of making a few representative teams and leading the Western Clydesdales Women’s team to a great year.

“I hope to be a good role model for my team and hopefully we can be a part of helping build the hope that the Toowoomba region can develop a BMD side in the next couple of years,” she said.

“I have also been working towards making the Queensland representative team this year as it has been one of my goals for the past couple of years leading into the U19s age group.”

The Women’s competition kicks off this weekend when they travel to Kingaroy to play Wide Bay.

Under 18s

Matt Moore has been named the Under 18s captain. Relatively new to the game and to representative football, the former touch player said he was shocked when he was named as captain.

“To be honest I was shocked but I am very happy and grateful to be named captain especially in my first year,” Moore said.

“Being a rugby league player is definitely a dream of mine and has been since I started throwing a footy around in the back yard.

“There are so many opportunities with league and especially now with the Bulldogs coming into our region and giving us a pathway into the NRL.”

He said his hopes for the team were to have a strong season and to make the finals and then “push on with it” and see how far they can go.

Under 16s

Talented youngster Braithen Scott will lead the Under 16s out.

The playmaker said being named captain was a real privilege adding he believed anyone in the team could have been named captain as they are a great group of great leaders.

An avid footy fan from a young age, Scott is well and truly on his way to fulfilling his childhood dreams of being a professional footballer.

“Rugby league has always been a big part of our family. We always played footy in the backyard and travelled around watching dad play footy and mum play touch and league tag. Sport has always been a huge part of our lives but rugby league has always been my passion,” he said.

“Being a footballer has always been the dream. Playing professionally for the Broncos is the ultimate dream even though growing up I idolised Johnathon Thurston! And Nathan Cleary is now one of the current players that I aspire to play like.”

After coming off a big year last year with two national carnivals and being named in an Australian merit team for touch, Scott said he would be grateful for any opportunities that come his way this year.

“I am really hoping to have a successful Clydesdales season and leading the Valleys Rooster to another premiership,” he said.

Check out the story by The Chronicle on Monday 20th February 2023 - click here