KOEN Reiri, Thomas Pickersgill and Lachlan Chard all had their first taste of the Greater Northern Academy on the weekend.
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They represent the three parts of the GNA.
Koen, from Tamworth, is a Group 4 junior, Thomas, from Scone, is a Group 21 junior and Lachlan, from Glen Innes, a Group 19 junior.
They are all keen to learn and are excited about their first exposure to the GNA.
Reiri is 15.
He’s a talented young North Tamworth junior who also referees at the Tamworth Minor League.
“It’s good fun,” he said early on day one in the GNA.
“It’s good to learn more skills.”
Pickersgill is also 15 and hails from Scone.
A centre, he attends Muswellbrook High.
The Year 10 student is excited about what’s to come.
“We haven’t done too much yet,” he said.
“It’s been hot.”
A Group 21 representative, he’s also been in the junior Knights development program.
Chard is also 15 and attends Glen Innes High.
The Year 9 student started playing when he was six.
“On the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“I played for Maroochydore. Then we moved down here (Glen Innes) when I was in Year 7.”
Lachlan’s father, Graham “Buster” Chard, played for Ashford Roosters but has retired, Lachlan said.
He played for Group 19 Under 15s last year and hopes the GNA will enable him to improve his skills to continue making the representative sides.
A lock, he loves running the ball and tackling, which makes him a perfect fit for the 13 role.
