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 in 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 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 was 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 aim is to help the Blackhawks win this years state title.
“We’ve got a very talented group of players and it’s going to be exciting to develop my game along with them and have a successful year.”
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 the competition last year and won 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 this year, 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 it.
“I’m aiming to develop these players into future Intrust Super Cup Blackhawks squads,” he said.
“We have a dedicated young group of players that pride themselves on putting in the work to accomplish their goal.”
The Under 16s squad were narrowly defeated 10-6 during a trial match against the Northern Pride on Saturday in Townsvillein a hard fought back and forth game.