Date: 5/2/13
Wales Rugby League have released an initial 32-man training squad for the South Wales Academy U16s side.
They will attend training days at Maesteg School in preparation for the 2014 Academy season which starts with a home fixture against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Saturday 22nd February.
The South Wales Academy U16’s trials took place on Sunday at Cardiff Arms Park on the new 4G pitch, with over 80 youngsters all looking to catch the eye of the selectors and gain a place in the squad for the 2014 season.
WRL Development Manager Mark Jones said: “We were really pleased with the turnout for this year’s trial and we were even more pleased with the standard of play that was on show, the venue allowed the players to express themselves and Wales Rugby League would like to thank Cardiff RFC for their hospitality.”
WRL Performance Coach Jon Ellis continued: “The South Wales Academy side is an important stepping stone on the player pathway of Rugby League in South Wales and, judging by the number of players and the talents they showed, we have got big selection headache coming our way which is only good for the game in Wales.
“Many of our youngsters at this age have gone on to represent their country at senior level and we hope there are a number of players who will be on that journey now. It was a really good day and we identified a number of players who can potentially go through the Academy programme and into senior Rugby League.
“The biggest challenge over the next three weeks, will be getting this squad up to speed to take on formidable opponents Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, who are one of the strongest Academy sides we will face this season.”
The squad is as follows:
Blake Hughes, Joe Fullwood, Joe Mbofana, Jordan Heales, Will Holley, Rhys Lloyd, Aneurin Creed, Jack Thompson, James Price, Connor Kawulok, Jordan Gilbert, Macauley Harris, Lewis Willacott, Conan Hathaway, Cobi Green, Zac Byard, Ryan Jeriamiahs, Connor Wielgold, Dale Price, Callum Flanagan, Ryan Davis, Jordan Lyney, Connor Parker, Sion Jones, Brodie Watkins, Sam Owen, Dylan Reed, Joe Condy, Brad Yearsley, Zak Taylor, Jack Perkins, Euan Gillespie