Warriors give chance to the stars of tomorrow

PRESENT AND FUTURE: Wanganui will host the Warriors open trial tomorrow to find players who could be a fit for the club's Junior team in 2016. PHOTO/ FILE A-250415NZHBPWARRIORS3

The Vodafone Warriors expect to see up to 130 youth players from all points of the lower North Island converge on Cooks Gardens tomorrow for their first National Youth Competition (NYC) trial held outside Auckland.

Applications to take part were originally supposed to close earlier this month, but will remain open up until the day, with more than 100 teenagers from both league and union backgrounds already signed up to take part.

The Warriors are searching for players, born 1996-98, who could be a fit for the Junior Warriors 2016 squad.

They will play nine-a-side games under the watchful eyes of coaching staff. Those will include the Warriors academy and pathways manager Duane Mann.

There is real genuine opportunity for a player to earn attention, as 150 players attended the annual two-day NYC trial at Auckland's Cornwall Park last weekend.

They came from as far away as Queensland and Christchurch to take part, as well as nearby Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Northland.

While most were from the rugby league system, many were also secondary school rugby players. A group of around 10-15 have earned the chance to train with the Warriors NYC team next month.

"We certainly hope to be able to select some players from those we see on Sunday to join our NYC squad for offseason training in November and December," said Mann.

"We have players coming from Wellington, Manawatu, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Bay of Plenty, Poverty Bay, Wairarapa and Horowhenua plus Wanganui and we even have some making the trip from Otago.

"We've had great support for this trial, the first we've ever staged outside Auckland, especially from Lisa Rewiti and staff from the Mid Central Zone as well as Wellington.

"This is also about involving local coaches and referees as we continue to search for talent."

Other Warriors staff likely to be there are football events co-ordinator Jordan Friend, the son of former Kiwi Clayton Friend, and former Kiwi's great Tony Iro.

Former Warrior Herewini Rangi is bringing players from Gisborne while scouts and Wellington Zone general manager Jason Hemson has pulled together a group of contenders from the capital.

The trials have proved successful in providing contract opportunities over the last few years. Three of this year's NYC regulars - wingers Tomas Aoake and Paul Ulberg plus loose forward Jazz Tevaga - were ultimately signed through their performances at the NYC trials.

Registration is from 9am and the games start from 10am tomorrow.