Three junior Yass Magpies players have been selected as part of the squad for the Bidgee Bulls in the 2017 U16/U18 Country Rugby League (CRL) Championships.
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Kyle Danilczak (U18s), Blake Watson (U16s) and Lachlan Davis (U16s) made the squads, which were announced on February 14.
The CRL Bidgee Bulls region covers rugby league played within Group 9, Group 20 and Canberra.
For Kyle Danilczak, he transitioned from the juniors Magpies to the seniors’ in 2017. He is also a former Canberra Raiders junior player.
Danilczak said the selection for the Bulls validates his hard work and commitment to the sport and teammates.
“Being selected for the Bulls, it’s just as a good an opportunity as it was playing for the Raiders,” he said.
“We’ve got a pretty good team. Even though we lost the trial, it was a close game so I think we should go alright.”
Chris Davis, father of U16 player Lachlan, praised the Magpies’ current junior coach Anthony Vitler and former coach Dave McPherson for developing the juniors to a representative standard.
“From a father’s perspective, I couldn’t be prouder and his mother is the same. Vitler was over the moon about the selection,” he said.
Chris said Vitler always has the players’ best interests in mind. “He not only teaches them footy, he also instills the value of friendship into them. He’s a father figure.”
Chris believes the opportunity to representative football is a great first step for the players.
“The opportunity that the Bidgee Bulls have given these boys is phenomenal. The Bulls have ex-nrl players as mentors, teaching them drills and about mentality. The Country Championships will have scouts from all over the country,” he said.
Round one of the CRL Championships will begin on Saturday, March 4. Both U16 and U18 Bidgee Bulls sides will play against the Greater Southern Redbacks on March 5 at Seiffert Oval, Canberra.