Raphael Geesu of Brisbane Lions Academy has been named Troy Clarke Scholar for 2023.
Raphael Geesu of the Brisbane Lions Academy and the Redland Victoria Point Sharks has been granted the Troy Clarke Scholarship for 2023.
Raphael Geesu of the Brisbane Lions Academy and the Redland Victoria Point Sharks has been awarded the 2023 Troy Clarke Scholarship, named after the late Brisbane Bear player and AFL Queensland Development Manager Troy Clarke.
The scholarship is intended to help a young person from regional Queensland who exemplifies the basic values Troy, a South Cairns junior, demonstrated throughout his football career, such as dedication, passion, and respect. Raphael’s football, education, and personal growth will be prioritized by the scholarship.
Raphael was presented with the scholarship by Troy’s wife Natalie at a ceremony sponsored by AFL Queensland, along with AFL Queensland’s Talent Manager Mark Browning. Former Brisbane Bears and Lions player Richard Champion was among the special guests, as were Brisbane Lions Academy Manager Scott Pyle, Brisbane Lions Academy Head Coach Mitch Hahn, Brisbane Lions Indigenous Player Welfare Manager Anthony Corrie, and Gold Coast SUNS Academy Manager Kath Newman.
Raphael, 16, was born on Palm Island and brought to Brisbane as a baby, growing up in care. However, when he was seven years old, he befriended Will Butt and became a vital part of the Butt family, who have supported his football journey since the beginning and are now his Foster Carers.
Raphael was chosen for the scholarship because of his great football skills, speed and skill, and unique goal sense, all of which are draftable qualities in the future, as well as his willingness to follow the Queensland football talent route after overcoming personal hurdles.
He won the Under 15s Best and Fairest title this season while playing for the Redland Victoria Point Sharks, was a Schoolboys representative in 2022 and 2023, and represented the Brisbane Lions at the National Under 16 Championships in 2022 and 2023.
Raphael expressed his gratitude for receiving the Troy Clarke Scholarship this year.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about Troy and I’m honoured to be named the 2023 Troy Clarke Scholarship recipient,” he told the crowd.
“I’m looking forward to learning and meeting new people, as well as getting to know different systems and teams.”
“I’d like to thank Bob and Lee Butt who are a big part of my life as well as the Academy Coaches that have helped me on my pathway.”
Trisha Squires, the head of AFL Queensland, stated, “Raphael is a young player whose football IQ exceeds his age, and he continues to excel on the field.”
“His football accomplishments extend beyond the field, to his dedication to his own development and growth as a player and a person.”
“We look forward to watching Raphael continue to pursue his football dreams with the support of the Troy Clarke Scholarship.”
Troy Clarke Scholarship Recipients
2023 – Raphael Geesu, Redland Victoria Point
2022 – Abbey Rankin, Moranbah
2020-21 – No award was presented due to Covid restrictions
2019 – Alana Gee, Mackay
2018 – Austin Harris, Cairns
2017 – Zimmorlei Farquarson, Darling Downs
2016 – Bruce Reville, Wide Bay
2015 – Dirk Koenen, Magnetic Island
2014 – Tom Matthews, Dalby
About the Troy Clarke Scholarship
With the unfortunate death of then State Development Manager Troy Clarke, 44, in October 2013, Queensland’s AFL community lost one of its greats.
Clarke, a member of the AFL Queensland Hall of Fame, played 68 games for the Brisbane Bears between 1991 and 1996 and was the only North Queenslander named to the Queensland Team of the Century shortlist.
Clarke shown bravery and passion as a player, but his impact on football after retirement will be his genuine legacy to the game.
In 2014, AFL Queensland and the Clarke family established The Troy Clarke Scholarship to honor Clarke.
Troy demonstrated amazing traits such as dedication, passion, and respect on a consistent basis, and the scholarship intends to honor him by helping a young person from regional Queensland who demonstrates these similar qualities.
