Mitch Doring offloads at recent GNA trials and on his way to GNA selection. 061012GRB29
A NEW Wests Greater Northern Academy rugby league program officially starts in Tamworth tomorrow when some 42 teenagers will be inducted into the 2012/2013 program.
That induction will be held at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School from 4pm, head coach Peter Stevens said.
He said players and their parents would be shown the 2012/2013 program and advised of expectations of the players as part of the program.
After the induction, players will then be put through testing on stamina, speed and strength.
From this testing, players will be given areas that they will be able to work on whilst part of the program, said Stevens, who is looking forward to the official start.
“The program and testing on Saturday will give the staff a guide to areas that the players will need to work on,” Stevens said.
“We look at some programs which will help them hopefully achieve great results in February when the program concludes.”
The players will receive feedback on their results when they meet on November 10/11 for a two-day camp.
Recent GNA trials at Scully Park in Tamworth rewarded those who excelled.
Stevens and the GNA coaching staff looked over more than 70 young hopefuls vying for spots in two GNA squads.
Those who shone were rewarded with selection, Stevens said.
“The two hookers, Beau Dixon and Angus MacTavish, were outstanding,” he said.
“We think we’ve picked a very strong back row with Beau Parry, Zander Smith and Jake Collison.
“Jimmy Widders-Leece had other commitments, playing rugby in Sydney, but with him we think we’ve got a strong back row.
“The front rowers are very green but the academy will do them a world of good.
“They all had a good work rate.”
16 players in the squad were part of last year’s program and have opted to return for another summer.
They will fill most of the places in the under 18s side but a few more were picked from the trial to complete the older group.
“We needed some outside backs for the older squad so (Wade) Campbell, (Tyler) Wolfgang and DJ Smith from Gunnedah all got in,” Stevens said.
“Troy Martin was outstanding, not at five-eighth but in the back row when he went there.
“Josh Kenny in the front row, everything he did was good in the trial.”
