Mitch Doring might be young but he has already jammed a fair bit of football into his life.
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Born in Tamworth, the 24-year old has been playing since he "snuck into the under-5's" as a four-year-old some two decades back.
He played at Tamworth High and made Tamworth rep sides from the under-12's on, at first as a lock before gravitating to half and five-eighth in his teenage years.
In his mid-teens he continued to be selected in Tamworth rep sides and that led to selection in the Country under-16 and 18 sides as well.
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Group 4, North West and Greater Western sides followed while he was lighting up the local fields and he also made it into the West Lions first grade side before he was 18.
"Had to get special exemption to play," he recalled.
"I also had a year with the Burleigh Bears in 2015 in their under-20's.
"It was something I always wanted to do."
However, he returned home to start a young family with his partner Breanna Todd and they have two bouncy, bubbling girls in Thea (4) and Mila (2).
To have captain-coached the Manilla Tigers in this year's abandoned Group 4 second grade competition, the pivot is delighted to be one of the four captains in the unique Wests Entertainment Group 9's competition.
He will front the JT Fossey team and can't wait.
JT Fossey Sales Manager Daniel Cini is also just as excited after the renowned Tamworth car firm was paired with youthful Doring at Sunday's sponsors draw.
"We are very excited to be involved in this," Cini said of the inaugural WEG 9's.
"It's an exciting concept and we are glad to have such a good young captain. I've only just met him but we hope we can now find a few good players to go with him."
Doring will sit down with his JT Fossey team at an upcoming selection night where all four new 9's franchises will select players from a draft.
That in itself will be an exciting challenge for all concerned.
Then it will be onto the start of the new WEG 9's at Scully Park on Saturday, October 3.
"I'm stoked to be a part of it and to be named a captain is an honour and a privilege," Doring added.
He's delighted the Group 4 hierarchy has found a replacement competition, after the Group 4 competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to give him and many like-minded players the chance to run around "and have some fun".
While the WEG 9's starts October 3 players must nominate to play by emailing the Group 4 secretary Catherine Weeks on group4secretary@gmail.com.
It costs players $80 to play which includes insurance, registration, jumpers (jerseys), socks and shorts.
The WEG 9's is not just a Group 4 competition but open to all players from all codes.
Teams will select squads of 15 players but there will be a reserve bank of players to cater for injuries and unavailability throughout the October 9's season.
The three rounds of play will be followed by a Saturday, October 24 Finals Night at Scully Park.
At this stage there is no provision for a female 9's competition with Group 4 officials waiting to see how the first WEG 9's runs.
If it is a success as a they hope then a women's competition could be run with a possible pre-season 9's in March next year.
However that is just in the discussion stage at this time.
All feedback is welcome.
