Joel Thompson /

Joel Thompson – Appeared 30th July, 2020

• Player for Manly Sea Eagles
• Indigenous All Stars Captain 2020
• Founder of the Mindset Project

Born in Ivanhoe NSW, Joel Thompson is one of the NRL's most experienced and respected players both on and off the field for his outstanding community work. Joel played his junior football in country NSW before being signed to the Canberra Raiders in 2008 and represented the Australian Schoolboys team in 2006 and the Junior Kangaroos the following year. Joel played with St George Illawarra before settling at the club of his childhood heroes, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles where he signed for the 2018 season.

He has also represented NSW Country and the Indigenous All Stars. He has scored 53 tries in 198 appearances.

Joel describes having a "tough" upbringing in which he moved a lot and experienced domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse first hand. The result of which he found himself in trouble with the police at a young age, and continued to battle with mental health issues as an adult.

His experiences have inspired him to reach out to others to help navigate difficult times and seek help for their own issues. Joel says being candid and sharing his experiences helps him connect with younger men to encourage positive change.