Local touch football prodigy Ryan Forlonge has been invited to join the NSW Combined High Schools team to compete in the prestigious National Youth Championships, which will be held in Queensland in September.
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The talented 17-year-old Yass High School student was told the good news last week when he participated in the three-day NSW Combined High School Open Boys State Touch Tournament that was held at the Frogs Holla Sports Complex in Milton from June 21 to 23.
In that tournament he captained the South Coast Boys High School touch team, which contained players from towns including Goulburn, Kiama, and Ulladulla, taking them to several victories, and on the last day the big announcement was made.
With players, teachers, coaches, and families gathered at the sports complex, just 14 people were selected from more than 50 competitors to form the NSW Combined High Schools team that will compete nationally.
“I never expected this to happen and was over the moon when they called out my name,” Ryan said.
“I didn’t have much hope and was a bit doubtful of myself, but my family thought I could do it and mum was there cheering me on; I love this game.”
Ryan’s enthusiasm for touch football began years ago, when he regularly saw his big brother, Jarrad, play.
“As I watched him on the field I got more and more interested because it was so much more fast-paced and quick flowing than any other ball sport I’d seen,” Ryan said.
Soon Ryan was a regular player and is currently the captain of the local “Bad Intentions” team, which does battle in the Wednesday night touch competition at Walker Park during summer, and almost won the Grand Final last year.
He is cautiously optimistic about his new team’s chances in the nationals.
“I don’t know the guys yet but they’re obviously great players and we’ll get together and work out our strategy before the championships.”
Over a four-day period, from September 14 to 17, the team will play around 10 matches at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
“If our team wins this tournament we’ll be the number one Under 18 touch team in the whole of Australia, which is really exciting.”
Looking ahead, Ryan is enthusiastic about sharing his skills with younger players.
“I like teaching other people how to play and after this is all over I’ll bring back what I’ve learnt and share it with the teams here in Yass on Wednesday nights.”
