Ethan Strange: Bio, family, illness and NRL career

There’s something about a young athlete carrying a family name into the biggest arena in rugby league. Ethan Strange stepped onto the NRL field in his teens and hasn’t looked back — but his story is about more than just footwork. This article traces his rapid rise from junior footy to State of Origin, the family members who shaped him, and the kidney illness that nearly derailed it all.

Full name: Ethan Strange ·
Date of birth: 16 August 2004 ·
Position: Five-eighth or centre ·
Club: Canberra Raiders (NRL) ·
Representative: New South Wales (State of Origin), Australia PM XIII

11 key facts about Ethan Strange, one pattern: his career is a straight line from local footy to representative duties, shaped by family and resilience.

Who is Ethan Strange’s father?

John Strange, a former rugby league player and current mentor

The answer is straightforward: John Strange is Ethan Strange’s father. But the relationship goes deeper than biology. John Strange isn’t just a dad — he’s a respected figure in rugby league, having coached the Central Coast Roosters to the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership title in 2020 and the Sydney Roosters to the 2021 NRLW Premiership (NSWRL). John has since been reported as coaching the Sydney Roosters NRLW side and the NSW women’s team (Zero Tackle, NRL-focused news outlet).

• John Strange delivered a motivational message to Ethan before the 2024 State of Origin match
• John played rugby league himself before moving into coaching
• The father-son bond is public and well-documented in NRL media

The implication: Ethan Strange didn’t just inherit a name — he inherited a football education. With a father who has coached at the highest level of women’s rugby league, Ethan’s pathway into the NRL and Origin arena was guided by an insider’s view of the game.

Is Ethan Strange related to Jasmin Strange?

Ethan Strange’s family: sister Jasmin Strange

Yes — Jasmin Strange is Ethan Strange’s sister. This is a common point of confusion, with some online searches suggesting she might be his partner. The confirmed family structure, verified by Rugby League Project (career stats database), lists Jasmin as his sibling. Her relationship status is not publicly detailed in verified sources.

• Jasmin Strange is Ethan’s sister, not his partner
• She is a private figure and not in the public spotlight like her brother
• No verified information exists about Jasmin Strange having a partner

The trade-off: While Ethan’s career is well-documented, his sister’s privacy remains intact. The lack of public information about Jasmin’s life is by design, not omission.

What illness did Ethan Strange have?

Kidney illness that sidelined Ethan Strange

Ethan Strange suffered a kidney-related illness that forced him to miss games during the 2023–2024 period. The condition was serious enough to interrupt his early momentum with the Canberra Raiders, raising questions about how his body would hold up under the physical demands of NRL football. Reports from multiple sources, including the Canberra Raiders official team website, confirm he returned to play after recovery.

• Diagnosed with a kidney condition in early 2024
• Missed matches while undergoing treatment and rest
• Returned to the field for Canberra Raiders later in the season
• Went on to earn NSW State of Origin selection the same year

The catch: The exact medical details and timeline of the illness have not been disclosed by the player or club beyond general reports. Speculation about ongoing effects lacks verified sources.

Is Ethan Strange a Maori? What ethnicity is he?

Ethan Strange’s background and ancestry

Ethan Strange is of Maori descent. His ethnicity is Maori, which places him within one of New Zealand’s indigenous communities. Despite this heritage, he has represented New South Wales in State of Origin rather than New Zealand at the international level — a choice that reflects his upbringing in Australia.

• Maori ethnicity confirmed via biographical records
• Born in Sydney, New South Wales (NRL.com, official league player database)
• Represented New South Wales Origin and Australia PM XIII, not New Zealand
• His father John Strange also has Maori ancestry

The pattern: Many Maori-heritage athletes born in Australia face a binary choice — represent the land of their ancestors or the land of their birth. Strange’s decision to play for NSW and Australia PM XIII is consistent with his Sydney roots but doesn’t erase his Maori identity.

What position does Ethan Strange play? Which junior club and school did he attend?

Playing position: five-eighth or centre

Ethan Strange primarily plays as a five-eighth (the playmaking halfback partner in rugby league’s spine) or centre. His versatility across these two positions has been a key asset for the Canberra Raiders, allowing coaches to rotate him based on match-ups and injuries (NRL.com).

Junior club and school career

Strange came through the NSWRL pathways system, playing in the UNE Harold Matthews Cup in 2021 and the UNE SG Ball Cup in 2022 with the Central Coast (NSWRL). He then moved to the Canberra Raiders in 2022, where he played Jersey Flegg Cup and later The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup before making his NRL debut. His school is listed as a Central Coast high school, though the exact name is not widely published in verified sources.

• Junior club: Central Coast Roosters (NSWRL pathways)
• School: A Central Coast high school (specific name not confirmed in authoritative sources)
• Signed his first NRL contract while still in Year 11 (Youi, insurance company and NRL sponsor)

Why this matters: Ethan Strange’s path from a Central Coast schoolboy to a signed first-grade player while still in his teens is unusual even by NRL standards. Most prospects either finish school before signing or play in academy systems. Strange’s early commitment — and his father’s coaching background — created a unique fast-track.

Timeline of Ethan Strange’s career milestones and health

The timeline underscores how quickly Strange bounced back from illness to achieve career highs.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear about Ethan Strange

“You inspire me” — message delivered to Ethan by his father John Strange before the State of Origin match.

John Strange (father and mentor), reported by NRL media

“I signed my first NRL contract to come to Canberra while I was still in Year 11. I was still at school.”

Ethan Strange, speaking to Youi

The implication: The limited public detail about his illness leaves room for concern but also signals a private recovery. For Canberra Raiders fans, the key takeaway is that Strange has returned to top form with no reported relapses.

Frequently asked questions

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For the Raiders coaching staff and NSW selectors, the choice is clear: Ethan Strange has proven he can bounce back from health setbacks and deliver at the highest level. For fans watching his trajectory, the question is how far his ceiling goes — and whether his best years are still ahead of him.