GREATER Northern Academy coaches put the squads through a final training session before the Christmas break on Saturday at Jack Woolaston Oval and were doing their best to convince the young players to stay fit over the Christmas break.
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There is one player GNA manager Scott Bone didn’t have to worry about, Singleton half James Bradley.
Bradley ran at the Cross Country Nationals four years in a row, and competed in the International Children’s Games (IGG) at Lake Macquarie last week.
The ICG boasts 1500 athletes from over 400 cities around the world, and has its roots in the Cold War.
Singleton was only accepted into the ICG this year, taking a team of 15, who all loved the experience.
“All the different countries and cultures and people from overseas were amazing,” Bradley said.
“It is definitely something I would like to do again.
“It’s a lot different from the state and national champs.”
Bradley came seventh overall after coming into the final with the third fastest time in the 4km event.
Bradley has backed off the cross country this season to concentrate more on his footy, playing for Singleton in Group 21, and choosing a gala day over the state championships.
Bradley was still invited to the nationals on reputation although did not place.
“We lost to Central Coast in the grand final,” Bradley said.
The young playmaker has been enjoying the different approach that GNA takes to training.
“This is my first season in the academy,” he said.
“It is a whole different style of training here.
“A lot more technique and things like that.”
The halfback has been injured recently and has been using the academy to get back to full health before the season kicks off.
Bradley guided Singleton Under 15s into the semi-finals last year and is already focused on going a step further this season.
“It will give us a great run into the season,” Bradley said.
Next year will be the first time Bradley will be eligible to play for the Greater Northern Tigers, and is keen to get out there and impress selectors after playing for Group 21 in recent years.
“I just want to get out there and play well for the academy and for Singleton and hope I can impress the selectors,” Bradley said.