When Adam Sargent-Wilson isn't teaching at Figtree High School, he's coaching the future of Australian rugby league.

And if this year’s public school crop is any indication, the future is looking very bright indeed.

Nine NSW public school students earned a place in his Australian Schoolboys squad, continuing the public system's long history of producing NRL talent.

A PE teacher and careers advisor with more than 20 years’ experience, Mr Sargent-Wilson has also spent many years deeply embedded in school rugby league.

From school teams to convening the South Coast region, and then the NSW Combined High Schools coach/convenor, he’s now entering his second year in the key national role.

It's no small juggling act.

The position often sees him working through school holidays, pulling him away from his own family; a sacrifice he said that feeds into a bigger picture.

"I've had my own kids come through public education and been heavily involved in that sport pathway," he said.

"You see the values that they get from it, the positive environment that's created, and just those lifelong memories as well. Sport became our little holiday for the family because of the experiences we got through the school pathway."

Selection for the Australian Schoolboys squad draws on a panel of five selectors from across NSW's public, Catholic and independent school sectors, plus a Queensland representative, ensuring the strongest possible team is drawn from right across the country.

This year's nine NSW public school selections span a strong cross-section of the system, from established sports high schools to comprehensive schools with storied rugby league histories.

Mr Sargent-Wilson points to the Hunter region in particular, where a strong junior pathway through the Newcastle Knights' SG Ball and Harold Matthews systems has fed a wave of talent into representative honours.

The Australian Schoolboys will play a match in Papua New Guinea in the October school holidays, a fixture that includes a high commission visit, a war memorial ceremony, and a community rugby league session, reflecting the sport's deep cultural significance in PNG.

Several of Sargent-Wilson's former players have gone on to NRL, State of Origin and full international honours.

"It (Australian Schoolboys) doesn't automatically mean selection into those elite programs, but it's a great launchpad for them to begin that journey," he said.

He credits the passion of public school teachers, coaches and volunteers for the system's ongoing success.

"They're really proud teachers wanting to get the very best out of our public school students. That's what creates such a positive environment - something I'm really proud of in public education," he said.

The Australian Schoolgirls side will also play PNG later this year and featured five public school selections in the squad.

2026 Australian Schoolboys - NSW public school selections

• Liam Martin – Westfields Sports High School
• William Manning – Hunter Sports High School
• Callum Elsley – Kurri Kurri High School
• Liam Challenor – Endeavour Sports High School
• Jamie Curran – Endeavour Sports High School
• Curtis Mulherin – Hunter Sports High School
• Jireh-Trey Stewart – Bass High School
• Cooper Townsend – Hunter Sports High School
• Hayden Bell – Westfields Sports High School

2026 Australian Schoolgirls - NSW public school selections

• Sienna Sullivan – Dubbo College Senior Campus
• Anastasia Leatupue – The Hills Sports High School
• Leilani Kavapalu – Bass High School
• Dawn Tui – Westfields Sports High School
• Isabella Bell – Westfields Sports High School