Touch: Chylo plans to even the score

Rotorua Boys' High School touch players Nerehana Tarei, 16 (left), Chylo Flavell, 15, and Kaleb Trask, 15, have been selected for New Zealand age group sides. Photo / Ben Fraser

Redemption is something Chylo Flavell will have in mind when he steps on to the touch fields in Australia.

Chylo, 15, has been named in the New Zealand under-15 boys touch team travelling to the Sunshine Coast in September.

He is among six local players who have been named in New Zealand under-15 and under-17 teams competing at the tournament. Others are Mahina Paul, 12, Regan Stephens, 13, Ora Williams, 14, Kaleb Trask, 15, and Nerehana Tarei, 16.

Chylo and his teammates will play against older players at the tournament, with their opposition mainly under-18 Australian state teams.

He played for the New Zealand under-15 mixed team at the same tournament last year, losing a couple of key games to the Aussies.

He said he was looking forward to returning this year to prove a point.

"I'm looking forward to the experience and redemption - redemption for losing last year," he said.

"They are more structured over there. They have lots of moves and are fit."

Fellow Rotorua Boys' High School touch players Kaleb and Nerehana are looking forward to the trip also, to represent New Zealand at under-15 and under-17 level.

Nerehana said it was an honour to represent his country.

"I just love the sport of touch. I grew up around it and that is why I love playing touch."

Meanwhile, Bay of Plenty under-15 girls team coach Shane Stephens, who coaches Mahina, Regan and Ora, said they deserved their spot in the national team. Stephens said the three girls had the talent to go on and represent New Zealand at senior level in the future.

"They are all different types of players and have different strengths." Other local players have also been named in the elite youth academy, for players who are on the fringe of making New Zealand under-15 and under-17 teams. The New Zealand-selected players need to raise $3500 each to go on the trip.