Four Blue Mountains Kangaroos under 14s AFL players have been selected in the Great Western Sydney (GWS) representative team to travel to Albury for the Joss State Competition on October 1.
Ben Lanyon, Harry Elbourne, Jett Fendall and Nathan Fokes were selected earlier in the year to be part of the GWS Academy which required training in Blacktown each week with other GWS teams.
Following six months of training, the four players were selected into the final team of 22 players to compete at the state competition in Albury against the Sydney Swans and GWS Canberra and Riverina teams.
The four GWS representative players have been team-mates at the Blue Mountains Kangaroos since they were in under 7s.
Ben Lanyon said that playing hard games each week at club level had prepared him for playing the best in the state at representative level.
Blue Mountains Kangaroos AFL Club president Danny Croucher said: “For our club to have four players selected for this elite level is remarkable, and a sign of their dedication and commitment.”
These selections cap off a great year for the players and the Kangaroos. The four boys were part of the premiership winning under 14s team, whose captain Harry Elbourne said: “At the start of the year we set our team and individual player goals and through really hard work, we achieved great results”.
The Kangaroos under 11s team went undefeated through the home and away games, to lose a close grand final.
“With the growth of the GWS Giants we have seen an increase in number participating across the Mountains including in our girls numbers who now make up 20 per cent of club players,” Mr Croucher said.
An AFL 9s mixed competition will start at Summerhayes Park, Winmalee on Thursday nights from October 11, running to December 6. On October 11 there will be a come and try night for teams or individuals from 6.30pm – 8.30pm. For more information contact president@bluemountainskangaroos.com.au or 0447 695 006
Next year will be big for the Kangaroos as they celebrate 20 seasons of AFL and will be looking to field sides for all ages and new competitions for girls from 10 -18 years.
