Melbourne Storm forwards Ryan Hoffman and Christian Welch have both been recognised for their off field achievements earning selection in the 2014 NRL and NYC Academic Team of the Year respectively.
Hoffman, studying a Bachelor of Business through Open Universities, made the team for the second year in a row. Speaking on Monday, the 30-year old second-rower praised the league wide initiative.
"I think it is a great initiative by the NRL, it's what we needed when I started playing, these things weren't in place," Hoffman said.
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"It's great with the young players coming through, we need to set up their future, set up their education.
"It's great the support we get from the NRL and what I get personally from the club in terms of how they help out our welfare and encouraging players to take on tertiary education or a trade.
U20 Thunderbolts forward Christian Welch was also selected in the NYC equivalent, named alongside his piers in the U20s Academic Team of the Year.
Welch is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne University.
To view the full NRL and NYC 2014 Academic Teams of the Year, click here.
