Parramatta annual academy in Darwin as young Eels look to impress

One of the bonuses of our partnership with the NT, good initiative and great for the kids:

THE next batch of Territory league stars have been put through their paces at the annual Parramatta Eels training camp in Darwin.

Youngsters from 12 to 17 were at Kormilda College for the three-day camp during the week and were exposed to a professional rugby league setting, NTIS rugby league coach Duncan MacGillivray said.

“The Eels academy is a good pathway for our Territory kids in rugby league; we send down three for a trial with Parramatta each year,” he said.

“We have two coaches up from Parra — Craig Wilson, who is in development, and Scott Jones, the Harold Matthews Cup coach.”

The Harold Matthews Cup is for the best under-16 players in New South Wales and Territory kids were aiming to impress the coaches in an effort to getting a spot in the side.

“The Academy is broken into three age groups — Elvers for 10-12 year olds, Yellow Eels for 13 to 15 years olds and Silver Eels for the 16-18-year-old age group,” MacGillivray said.

“The young guys get a massive kick out of the camp. They are treated professionally and get the chance to experience the camp life.”

The days were split into multiple sessions and lasted as long as nine hours.

Parramatta’s Harold Matthews Cup side were minor premiers of the 17-team competition but lost the grand final 30-16 to Cronulla in May.

Parramatta will again conduct clinics in the Territory for their two visits next year — to play Gold Coast Titans in Alice Springs in February and the NRL fixture later in the year.

http://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/young-nt-rugby-league-players-aim-to-impress-parramatta-eels-coaches-at-annual-academy-in-darwin/story-fnk0b28u-1227556985094

"Good point, Phil Mann. All of a sudden the media seems to have forgotten that three Storm players refused to play ball in a player transfer and Matterson is the focus. I saw one headline that referred neutrally to Lomax not going to Storm but…"

Replies

The Badger October 6, 2015 at 8:19pm

Let's hope we uncover the next Greg Inglis.
- Ham Sammich > The Badger October 7, 2015 at 4:54am
  
  Let's hope not. I'd rather discover the next Hayne, Tedesco or RTS before we uncover the next Inglis.
- ParraTime > The Badger October 7, 2015 at 9:43am
  
  Or the next Joseph Paulo
the Eggman October 6, 2015 at 8:27pm

Or maybe another Luke Kelly.
- Adam > the Eggman October 7, 2015 at 8:47am
  
  You mean we could get another "Tha Product"?
Gower Power October 7, 2015 at 3:59am

or maybe the next Sandow?
fishbulb October 7, 2015 at 10:36am

I hope we sign the Aboriginal Alf.

Stewart.