Joe Ward might only be starting year 10 this year, but he’s got his sights set firmly on making it to the Canberra Raiders’ NRL side.
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Ward has been selected in the Raiders’ under 16s Harold Mathews Cup team.
He was selected after trialling for the Riverina Academy and was spotted by talent scouts from the Raiders.
“I didn’t know they were there, a couple of weeks later I was at work and dad came in and told me my name was in the Harold Matthews side,” Ward said.
“I was over the moon, you couldn’t get the smile off my face.”
Since being selected for the junior representative team, Ward has been working on his diet, fitness and sleep so that he benefits from the training.
“It’s next level, it’s stuff I’ve never experienced before they push you past your limits,” Ward said.
“You learn so much as well because it’s all new.
“I’ve got heaps of things to work on, like little one per centers that will help me play better.”
Ward said the training regime required self-discipline.
“You go down the street with your mates and they have chips and soft drinks and I’m there with a water,” he said.
He’s hoping to bring some of what he learned to the Cootamundra Bulldogs’ under 16s team this year.
The Raiders’ Harold Matthews team trains three times a week, twice in Canberra and once in Gundagai with country players from Cowra, Wagga, Orange, Albury, Young and Tumut.
The team lost a trial match to Illawarra earlier this year and Ward said players knuckled down afterwards.
“We worked our butts off, gelled together and developed combinations and then put it all together on the field,” he said.
It was pretty scary to see some of the players in the Knights, they were a lot bigger than anyone I’d played against before.
- Joe Ward
They won their second trial match against the Newcastle Knights by three tries.
“It was pretty scary to see some of the players in the Knights, they were a lot bigger than anyone I’d played against before, and a lot smarter on field,” Ward said.
As well as juggling football and school, Ward is also one Sacred Heart Central School’s captains but he’s confident of getting the balance right.
“We had end of year exams in year 9 and I was playing football at the same time and I managed it pretty well.”
The first game of the Harold Matthews Cup is set for February 10.
Declan Rurenga
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
