The future is bright for All Souls St Gabriels (ASSG) Year 11 student Kade Banset who is one step closer to realising his dream of playing in the National Rugby League (NRL) competition.
The all-round athlete and well-regarded student who hails from Winton was ecstatic after being named to the 2016 Mendi Townsville Blackhawks Under 16's Cyril Connell squad.
“I started playing league back home for the Winton Devils when I was six, and my goal has always been to play in the NRL and hopefully for Australia one day,” Kade said.
“Being selected to the Blackhawks squad is a big step towards fulfilling that goal and I'm looking forward to bettering my skill set and playing against more rep sides this year,” he said.
Kade was noticed by the Blackhawks scouts after his standout play for the Charters Towers Miners and his representative efforts for Northern Queensland (NQ) and the North West in 2015.
He’s also passionate about cricket, and has represented ASSG and NQ in the sport, and he was picked to represent NQ in touch football which he had to decline due to his league commitments.
The centre/fullback said Darren Lockyer is definitely his all-time favourite player, and among active players he really looks up to Corey Parker.
“I try to emulate their styles of play when I’m on the field,” he said.
Kade said his immediate objective is to help the Blackhawks win the state title this year.
“We’ve got a very talented group of players in the squad and it’s going to be exciting to develop my game along with them and have a successful season.”
Cyril Connell squad coach Allan Petersen has had the squad working hard since November last year with high hopes high that they will be able to continue their 2015 dominance in season 2016.
Formerly known as the Townsville Stingers, the Cyril Connell team was the stand-out side in their competition last year and was victorious in the state grand finals, only to fall at the final hurdle to Cronulla in the national finals.
The team will compete under the Blackhawks name in season 2016, bringing the Townsville youngsters into line with the rest of the state competition.
Petersen is looking to build on the accomplishments of season 2015 and believes he has the right players to do just that.
“I’m aiming to develop these players into future Intrust Super Cup Blackhawks squads,” he said.
“We have a very talented and dedicated playing group that prides itself on hard work.”
Kade and the rest of the Blackhawks Under 16s squad will face their first test this Saturday, February 6, at 2.30pm during a trial match against the Northern Pride being held at Jack Manski Oval, Kirwan.
