The State’s best young Sevens talent will battle it out for a spot in the final squad of 24 to represent NSW at the National Youth Championships.
Coach Chris Delooze said: “This is one of the most competitive age groups in recent years and we have seen an increase in participants. Sevens becoming a very popular format with the original training squad containing more than 60 players.
“It will be a tough job picking the final 24 players for the two teams from the final trial in Bowral. With four weeks to go, the squad will be working on the finer points of our game to keep the success of the NSW youth programme, having won it the previous 3 years."
Programme Manager Expo Mejia said the players have tremendous talent, and commitment.
"Heath Lancaster has been travelling from Kempsey every Sunday to attend training, along with boys from Newcastle and Mid-west NSW. Players have also been attending tournaments and training whilst studying for their HSC,” Mejia said.
“It is a genuine pathway to higher honours and professional rugby. From last year’s youth team, five players went on to represent Australian Youth Sevens in the Oceania Championships and another player in Australian Schoolboys team going to Europe” he added.
The final trial in Bowral is on Saturday 24 November with the nationals from 7-9 December.
NSWRU Youth Boys Under 17s squad
1. Tom Aveyard, The Scots College, Bellevue Hill
2. Dally Bird, St Ignatius' College, Riverview
3. Nicholas Chan, St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill
4. George Clark, St Ignatius' College, Riverview
5. Hamish Cressey, St Ignatius' College, Riverview
6. Liam Dalibozek, All Saints' College, Maitland
7. Ben Dalton, St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill
8. Ben Dowling, St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill
9. Oliver Evans, Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga
10. Joshua Fraser, Holy Cross College, Ryde
11. Tom Gratwicke, Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga
12. Aiden Helu, St Paul's College, Manly
13. Emery Jolliffe, St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill
14 Boston Kerapa, Hunter Sports High School, Gateshead
15. Tolu Koula, Newington College, Stanmore
16. Heath Lancaster, St Paul's College, Kempsey
17. Levi Milford, Waverley College, Waverley
18. Marco Moretti, Waverley College, Waverley
19. Jack Mossman, The Scots College, Bellevue Hill
20. Dan O’Brien, St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill
21. Mitch Painter, St Augustine's College, Brookvale
22. Viliami Penisini, The King's School, North Parramatta
23. Ben Pollack, St Aloysius' College, Milson's Point
24. Jack Ricci, The Scots College, Bellevue Hill
25. Joshua Rizk, Holy Cross College, Ryde
26. Preston Simpson, Kinross Wolaroi School, Orange
27. Joseph Suaalii, The King's School, North Parramatta
28. Ronald Volkman, Waverley College, Waverley
29. Kaeo Weekes, Newington College, Stanmore
30. Jordan Williams, The King's School, North Parramatta
Support staff
NSW A Coach: Chris Delooze
NSW B Coach: Josh Mitchell
Physiotherapist: Andy Farley
S & C Coach: Ryan Abbott
Performance Analyst: Maddy Gratwicke
Programme Manager: Expo Mejia
