Katherine:
GTNT Supporting U/14 NT Union Team
- Published 31/08/2011
GTNT have become a "partner" and will provide financial assistance to help the team with travel arrangements.
Following the TIO junior Championships this year it was evident that the NT needed to go to the younger age group ( we have a 16 and 18 Indigenous program) but have no 14 program based on the "no school - no play" principle. We needed to capture this age group to commence the rugby and education pathway to take them to U18 and Year 12. As the ARU have no specific Indigenous U14 national championship (as does the 16/18) we decided to push the envelop for the future. We have had a squad of on average 22 -24 under 14s training every second Sunday since the end of May.
The concept of the trip is to start the process of travelling away as a team, playing at a higher standard of Rugby than in Darwin, cultural exchange from southern states and as a reward for the boys maintaining a 80 - 85% school attendance.
22 players from Top End and East Arnhem and 4 support (adult staff) make up the touring party.
Following the TIO junior Championships this year it was evident that the NT needed to go to the younger age group ( we have a 16 and 18 Indigenous program) but have no 14 program based on the "no school - no play" principle. We needed to capture this age group to commence the rugby and education pathway to take them to U18 and Year 12. As the ARU have no specific Indigenous U14 national championship (as does the 16/18) we decided to push the envelop for the future. We have had a squad of on average 22 -24 under 14s training every second Sunday since the end of May.
The concept of the trip is to start the process of travelling away as a team, playing at a higher standard of Rugby than in Darwin, cultural exchange from southern states and as a reward for the boys maintaining a 80 - 85% school attendance.
22 players from Top End and East Arnhem and 4 support (adult staff) make up the touring party.