The junior rugby league talent from across the Northern Inland are gearing up to make their biggest mark on the representative stage to date, hoping to secure a spot in the Tamworth Services Club NIAS Rugby League Squad for 2018.
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The Northern Inland Academy of Sport is holding its trials on Sunday April 8 at Gwydir Oval, Bingara. This is the first opportunity for Under 15 players from Group 4 and Group 19 to get a taste of what is expected of them at the higher level. It is also the first opportunity for athletes to be exposed to the requirements of Under 16 representative squads in 2019.
Country Rugby League regional manager Scott Bone will again be one of the selectors for the NIAS squad with Peter Stevens returning as head coach.
They will be going through recordings of the trials before they name their 22-man NIAS squad for 2018 on Friday, April 13.
Bone says the best talent usually makes its way into the squad, but that’s not all they look at. Attitude, desire and discipline comes ahead of raw talent.
“We’re on the look out for the kid that might not be the star but has the desire and the dedication to push himself and has room to develop.”
Eight players from last year’s NIAS squad represented the Greater Northern Tigers Under 16s in the Country Championships. A decent number considering the NIAS squad is just Group 4 and Group 19, whereas the Tigers include Group 21 as well.
We’re on the look out for the kid that might not be the star but has the desire and the dedication to push himself and has room to develop.
- Scott Bone
There are expectations of big numbers at this year’s trials. There is a large carrot being dangled for the successful representatives.
An eight-day tour of Fiji will see the squad play two games against local sides. The tour starts on October 1 and returns on the 8th.
NIAS CEO James Cooper says he’s proud of these overseas trips for the athletes. “At NIAS we are able to offer these cultural immersion tours, and we find this is where they get their biggest development as young people and young leaders, not just as athletes, and we’re extremely proud to be able to offer this opportunity.”
The NIAS Tamworth Services Club rugby league squad will train monthly and are looking to compete in the Central Coast Challenge if the event is run again in 2018.
ATHLETE PROFILE: Niamh Whittall
Sport? I’m a member of the Armidale City Bowling Club women’s under 17 football program.
What town or city are you from? I am from Coonabarabran.
How long have you been involved with NIAS? I first joined NIAS in 2016.
Age: I’m 16.
Ambition: Good quality training to help me improve and the opportunity to play at a higher level.
Highest Achievement: Playing in the Women’s State Cup last year.
Hero: Tim Cahill.