Mighty Marik Collects Track Gold And League Premiership Medal

Talented Mackay athlete Marik Srsen dreams of one day running out for the Brisbane Broncos in a National Rugby League fixture at Suncorp Stadium.

If potential and determination is any guide, then the 13 year old Mercy College Mackay student is well on the way to achieving his sporting goal.

The dynamic custodian – who captained the Magpies club to an Under 13s premiership last Saturday at the Mackay & District Junior League Grand Finals – is part of an elite group of local prospects attached to the Brisbane Broncos Junior Academy.

Young Marik is one of four Magpies juniors in the Broncos Academy train-on squad along with teammates Mason Muscat, a skillful hooker and regular captain who missed the Grand Final with a damaged hand; promising five eighth Nate Frost and outstanding half back Isaac McFarlane.

They are joined by classy Proserpine five eighth or half back Koby Johnson-Follett.

All five participate in Rugby League Excellence classes where they focus on fitness and skill sessions under the guidance of the Broncos Junior Development Coaching Panel.

Marik was a standout in the Grand Final victory over the previously unbeaten Proserpine Brahmans – scoring a try and inspiring team mates to a stunning 28-0 triumph at the Mackay Junior League Fields.

Now in his eighth season with the Magpies, the tough tackling Srsen showed enormous potential as a lock forward and hooker before making the switch to fullback earlier this year.

Marik appreciated the extra space from the back to roam in attack and spearheaded the Magpies to many a victory with his power running game.

When the Magpies lost skipper Muscat with a broken wrist during the Under 13 finals series, the fiercely competitive Srsen was a logical choice to lead the team in action for the vital games ahead.

He scored a crucial try as the Magpies rolled archrivals Wanderers 22-18 in the preliminary final before stamping his mark in the title decider.

Marik’s consistent performances last season at Junior League and schoolboy representative level earned him the Junior Magpie of the Year Award as well as the prestigious Doug Knight Rugby League Trophy at the Mackay & District Sportsperson of the Year Awards – a tremendous achievement.

The versatile colt represented Capricornia as a second rower at the Queensland Under 12 Schoolboys Championships in Cairns – turning in strong performances to help the team finish a respectable third.

Athletics is another of Marik’s special sporting loves.

He competed for Mackay Athletics Club before joining the team at All Sports Sprint & Endurance Training (ASSET) to be coached by sprint gurus Tina and Luke Morse.

And he is reaping the rewards – winning the recent Capricornia Secondary Schools 400m Sprint championship in the Under 13s age group in a time of 60.04 seconds and finishing third in the 200m final.

With his rugby league commitments drawing to a close, Marik will step up his sprint training as he prepares for the Queensland Secondary Schools Athletics Championships in Brisbane next month.

By Chris Karas

‍

Broncos Academy fullback Marik Srsen in action for newly crowned Mackay Junior Rugby League Under 13 premiers Magpies

Magpies skipper Marik Srsen (left) and injured hooker-captain Mason Muscat hold aloft the Mackay JRL Under 13s premiership trophy after skittling the previously unbeaten Proserpine Brahmans 28-0 in last Saturday's Grand Final

Capricornia Secondary Schools 400m sprint champion Marik Srsen proudly displays his athletics ribbons