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Robert Lui, Travis Waddell, Kieran Foran and Siuatonga Likiliki are among the stars of this year's National Youth Competition to win selection in the 2009 Toyota Cup Team of the Year.

They are also among the 100 players who have graduated from the Toyota Cup to the NRL in just two seasons as the national Under 20s competition continues to thrive with rising television audiences, a four-year broadcast deal and ground-breaking workplace and education opportunities.

The 2009 Toyota Cup Team of the Year – voted for by the 16 Toyota Cup coaches – features eight players who have played in the NRL this season, with eight clubs represented in the 17-man squad.

Each member of the Toyota Cup Team of the Year will receive a $2000 education grant in addition to the grants clubs already receive for education and workplace training.

The Toyota Cup Player of The Year will be named during Fox Sports' telecast of next Tuesday's (September 8) Dally M Awards at Sydney’s State Theatre, while the player of the grand final will receive the Jack Gibson Medal.

The Toyota Cup’s status as a forum for trialling innovative rules will also continue this weekend with a trial of four-quarter football in the match between the Roosters and Cowboys, following on from trials of the two-referee system and experimental kicking rules in matches last season.

"The development pathway the Toyota Cup provides is the envy of other sports in terms of its professionalism, standard of play and the opportunities it offers for local kids to become local heroes," NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said.

"It is the only elite junior competition in the country that has national television coverage and each week it gives our fans a preview of who will be the future stars of our game.

"What is also significant is that this competition is helping give young players life skills outside of football through a commitment to education and workplace opportunities unrivalled in other sports.

"Congratulations to the players who have been named in the 2009 Toyota Cup Team of the Year and best of luck to all those clubs competing in the upcoming finals series."

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26011875-23214,00.html?from=public_rss