Armidale’s Tom Campbell has been offered a position in the Newcastle Football Club’s Emerging Jets program while Tamworth’s Joe Doherty has been selected in a Northern NSW Under 12 squad to play in a Japanese international tournament.

Howard Stubbs, NIF Football Manager, said  Campbell trialled with the Emerging Jets recently and was then offered a position in their Under 14 Boys’ Squad.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for a young country player like Tom,” Stubbs said.

“After working with him over a period of time in Armidale, I think that he definitely has the technical ability and attitude to be in Newcastle for the long haul.

This has definitely not been an easy decision for him at 14 years of age, having to move to Newcastle, to leave his family and school and start at a new one. 

“Tom will live with a host football family in Newcastle and I’m sure he will settle in and adjust quickly. 

“I think that what he and his family have chosen to do to further his football is outstanding and they deserve all our support.”

Campbell has also been included by David Smith, NNSWF Technical Director, into an older age group squad that will test their skills in a tour to Japan later in the year, NIF executive director Dino Perizzolo said.

“Again a great opportunity to showcase his ability against a football powerhouse,” Perizzolo said.

“Northern Inland Football wishes Tom the very best in his endeavours.”

He was also delighted with the selection of Doherty in the NNSW side to play in the Saitama International Tournament in July.

Doherty was named in a 16-player squad by  Smith and Under 12 Boys’ Head Coach Ryan Campbell. 

The squad includes players from Football Far North Coast, Football Mid North Coast, North Coast Football and Northern Inland Football as well as 11 Emerging Jets and was selected following a training camp in January. 

Players from full and associate team members were put through their paces over an intense few days in January which included training sessions in their own squads with zone coaches as well as training sessions in mixed teams with other Northern NSW coaches.

 Campbell, Northern NSW Skill Acquisition Head Coach, and Coach of the Under 12s Japan touring squad was delighted with the quality of the players at the January camp and said selecting the final squad of 16 was a “difficult decision for all involved”.

“Over the four days of the camp the technical level of individuals throughout all the zones improved immensely and it was a great pleasure to see how, within a positive coaching environment, the level at which quality players throughout Northern NSW are capable of performing,”  Campbell said.

“Obviously with all of the work being done throughout Northern NSW zones the technical level of players is improving each year and is evident in the fact that selections for representative squads is becoming more and more difficult.”

The squad will compete at the 2013 Saitama International Tournament in Saitama, Tokyo, from Tuesday July 23 to Sunday, July 28 against international and Japanese teams.

NNSW UNDER 12 SQUAD: Sam Applegate, George Fuller (Football Mid North Coast), Blake Archbold (Hunter Valley Football), Kai Bradley, Ethan Byrnes, Kaleb Cox, Callum Eardley, Ryan Goodhew, Noah James, Dane Lawther, Liam McDonald, Mitchell Metcalfe, Hayden Seaton, Anthony Woods (Emerging Jets), Joe Doherty (Northern Inland Football), Thomas Westman (North Coast Football)