Aidan Kirk
Encyclopedia
Aidan Kirk is a rugby league
player who last played in the National Rugby League
for the New Zealand Warriors
.
in his hometown of Gosford on the Central Coast, Kirk played Jim Beam Cup for The Ourimbah Magies was picked up to play SG Ball and lower grades for the Newcastle Knights. He then joined the Roosters but did not break into first grade due to the dominance of Anthony Minichello. Instead Kirk played in the NSWRL Premier League
under coach Ivan Cleary
, and was eventually made captain of the side. In 2006 the Roosters signed a feeder arrangement with the Newtown Jets
and Kirk played for the Jets in the Premier League. The Jets made the grand final however Kirk was stretchered off in the first half after tearing ligaments in his knee scoring a try.
, reuniting with coach Cleary. However his pre-season was disrupted by his injury and he again played in the NSWRL Premier League, this time for the Auckland Lions
. Kirk also made several appearances for the Counties Manukau Jetz in the Bartercard Cup
.
In 2008 Kirk started Round 1 at Fullback for the Warriors, replacing the injured Wade McKinnon
. However he was immediately dropped and did not play first grade again until round eleven, this time filling in for the injured Manu Vatuvei
on the wing. Kirk played another thirteen games for the club in 2008, mostly on the wing, and did enough to earn a new contract with the club, signing for 2009 with an option for 2010. He was released by the Warriors at the end of the 2009 season.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player who last played in the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
for the New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
.
Early years
Educated at St Edward's CollegeSt. Edward's College, East Gosford
St Edwards Christian Brothers College is a Catholic independent/private boys day school in Gosford, New South Wales, Australia administered by the Congregation of Christian Brothers. It caters for boys from years 7 to 12. Sometimes it is colloquially referred to as 'Eddies'. St Edwards is the only...
in his hometown of Gosford on the Central Coast, Kirk played Jim Beam Cup for The Ourimbah Magies was picked up to play SG Ball and lower grades for the Newcastle Knights. He then joined the Roosters but did not break into first grade due to the dominance of Anthony Minichello. Instead Kirk played in the NSWRL Premier League
NSWRL Premier League
The New South Wales Cup is a rugby league competition for clubs in New South Wales previously known as the NSWRL Premier League. It has a history dating back to the NSWRFL's origins in 1908, starting off as a reserve grade competition. It is now the premier open age competition in the state...
under coach Ivan Cleary
Ivan Cleary
Ivan Cleary is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League and former head coach of the New Zealand Warriors where he achieved much success...
, and was eventually made captain of the side. In 2006 the Roosters signed a feeder arrangement with the Newtown Jets
Newtown Jets
The Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSWRL Premier League competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season...
and Kirk played for the Jets in the Premier League. The Jets made the grand final however Kirk was stretchered off in the first half after tearing ligaments in his knee scoring a try.
Warriors
In 2007 Kirk joined the New Zealand WarriorsNew Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
, reuniting with coach Cleary. However his pre-season was disrupted by his injury and he again played in the NSWRL Premier League, this time for the Auckland Lions
Auckland Lions
The Auckland Lions were a rugby league club that had teams in both the New Zealand Bartercard Cup and the NSWRL Premier League. They were mostly based around the Mt Albert Lions Rugby League club...
. Kirk also made several appearances for the Counties Manukau Jetz in the Bartercard Cup
Bartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
.
In 2008 Kirk started Round 1 at Fullback for the Warriors, replacing the injured Wade McKinnon
Wade McKinnon
Wade McKinnon is an Australian rugby league player who currently plays for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League. His position of preference is at fullback.-Early years:...
. However he was immediately dropped and did not play first grade again until round eleven, this time filling in for the injured Manu Vatuvei
Manu Vatuvei
Manu Vatuvei is a New Zealand rugby league player for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is on the wing. He is the cousin of Japanese Rugby Union player Ruatangi Vatuvei. Vatuvei was a member of the New Zealand Kiwis squad that won the 2008...
on the wing. Kirk played another thirteen games for the club in 2008, mostly on the wing, and did enough to earn a new contract with the club, signing for 2009 with an option for 2010. He was released by the Warriors at the end of the 2009 season.