WARRIORS HOLDING 2019 JERSEY FLEGG TRIALS
The Warriors have put out a nationwide call to players for their 2019 NSWRL Jersey Flegg (Under-20s) squad, with Junior Warriors open trials to be held on the weekend of October 27-28 in Auckland. The club is encouraging all talented and driven players to trial, primarily focusing on the Under-17 (2001) and Under-18s bracket (2000), but there is potential to consider Under-19s (1999) upon strong recommendation.
It is a genuine opportunity, with a number of players each year going on to earn places in the Warriors’ squads – including five Jersey Flegg debutants from last year’s trail programme.
With the Vodafone Junior Warriors confirmed to again line up in the New South Wales Jersey Flegg Cup next year, the club has today announced it has scheduled an open trial weekend across October 27 and 28.
It will be an opportunity for talented young players from throughout New Zealand to trial for next year’s squad.
“We have a directive to recruit, retain and develop the best young players in New Zealand,” said Vodafone Warriors general manager football Brian Smith.
“We are committed to working with local rugby league organisations to strengthen the local game but the Jersey Flegg pathway is critical for us to both retain and develop our emerging talent.”
Smith said the Vodafone Warriors will once again look to promote young elite players to play in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW in 2019.
“We fielded a very young side in the Jersey Flegg this year with as many as four or five of our top eligible under-20 players playing in the ISP,” he said.
“Player development is certainly our focus in lower grades but we expect to be more competitive in next year’s Jersey Flegg Cup competition.”
The trial weekend on October 27-28 will again start at Cornwall Park. The first trial day will be followed by a closed training day on Sunday, October 28 (venue to be confirmed to the successful trialists).
“We have recently recruited a number of quality prospects to join our squad and have some talented juniors who will make their debuts in 2019 but there are genuine opportunities for the right athlete,” said Vodafone Warriors recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan.
“We are mindful that there are late bloomers, kids from regional New Zealand and players who are returning from overseas who just need an opportunity to impress”
Jazz Tevaga, just crowned the NRL’s Dally M Interchange Player of the Year, and ISP captain James Bell, the club’s 2018 ISP Player of the Year, are both graduates from the open trial. Last year alone there were five players who progressed from the open trial to make their Jersey Flegg debuts for the Vodafone Junior Warriors.
For this year’s trial, the Vodafone Warriors are primarily interested in elite rugby league and rugby union players born in the years 2000 (under-18) and 2001 (under-17).
“We really encourage young players to register and we will then lock in those selected to trial,” said O’Sullivan.
For day two, players identified from the trial games at Cornwall Park will join others selected by club’s recruitment staff for a high-quality closed training and trial day on October 28.
Registrations of interest for the October 27 trial close on Wednesday, October 17.
Players who are invited to trial must bring their own shorts, socks, mouth guard and boots.
REGISTER FOR VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS OPEN TRIAL
VODAFONE WARRIORS | OPEN TRIAL
Saturday, October 27 – Day 1 Open Trial
Cornwall Park, Puriri Drive, Epsom, Auckland
Registrations from 9.00am, trials from 10.00am
Sunday, October 28 – Day 2 Closed Trial Day
Auckland Venue to be confirmed
Assemble 9.30am
We are always open to opportunities for open age players. Players who are born in 1999 (under-19) or 2002 (Under 16) who are confident of their ability and level of talent are encouraged to email their CVs to academy@warriors.kiwi for further consideration.
