Junior Townsville Blackhawks coaches reveal tips for train and trial success in U17s, U19s boys and girls
Age-grade coaches at the Townsville Blackhawks have given their tips for success as more than 150 junior players from around the region join the club for pre-season trials. Find out what each coach is looking for.
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Age-grade coaches at the Townsville Blackhawks have given their tips for success as more than 150 junior players from around the region join the club for pre-season trials.
The Blackhawks moved away from one-day trials in 2022, instead opting to provide young players with a train and trial period during October and November before squads are reduced and training intensity is lifted.
The four junior teams will be condensed into smaller playing squads before the competitions begin in early 2025.
UNDER-19S BOYS
This year Annan Whittington is taking over Townsville’s Mal Meninga Cup team after a big season in charge of Ryan Catholic College’s first XIII.
While the under-19s squad won’t start training in earnest until late November as year 12 students complete their exams, Whittington said coaching staff had been keeping tabs on all the players included for months.
“Myself and the coaching staff involved have been watching closely since July, so the back-end of the Aaron Payne Cup and the Confraternity Carnival plus all the local footy,” Whittington said.
“We spoke to the boys at the testing day the other day. Talent got them into the room but there’s three big characteristics that we’re looking for.
“Those will be their character, their connectedness to the club values and what we’re trying to as a team, and then if they’re willing to compete at training and in our opposed sessions and trial games.”
Whittington elected to bring together a smaller squad of 44 which will be cut to 32.
He said some of the younger players who miss out will be invited to join limited training sessions while older players would have to look to club-land to push their case.
“Some clubs and teams take in big extended squads but we made ours a bit smaller this year. If those players still have a year up their sleeve, some of them will be invited for development stuff one day a week,” Whittington said.
“If they’re top of age, they’ll have to go back and prove their wares in A-grade and things like that.”
UNDER-19S GIRLS
Former BMD Premiership-winning coach Gavin Lloyd, who guided the North Queensland Gold Stars to success in 2022, is taking the reins of the under-19s girls’ side this season.
The experienced mentor was impressed with the level of talent on display during his first sessions with the group, and he said most of all he was looking for determined and enthusiastic players.
“Effort is the biggest one. Hanging in there and not giving up – I thought being younger that there might be some girls that would pull out easier under a bit of stress but they seem to be doing pretty good at the moment so I’m happy with the effort,” Lloyd said.
“You have to take the weather into account but we’ve had absolutely no one pull out of anything yet and it’s been hard work, so the ones that are there are very dedicated which is good.
“There’s a few girls that have certainly shown the promise and ability that they could play, down the track with some more training and a bit more time, play BMD and beyond.
“At the moment I think the girls’ game is about them getting repetitions under their belt, because they haven’t played nearly as much as the boys.
“That’s the big one, but once they get those repetitions, they certainly start to show what they can really do.”
UNDER-17S BOYS
Returning Cyril Connell Cup coach Nathan Norford said the most important thing he was looking for during the next month would be effort.
“They’re going to be competing against some of their mates and some fellow people within the area, so they’ve got to be putting the best foot forward and showing they’re ready for that next level,” Norford said.
“That comes through their effort and their willingness to work as a team – they’re probably the two biggest things – but at the same time, understanding their physical and mental attributes as well.”
Being in charge of the younger age group, Norford said it was important for players not to give up on their journey if they find themselves cut from this season’s squad.
“They’re still only young, and the coaching staff in Townsville are getting better and better every year,” Norford said.
“There’s so much knowledge here, we’re in a great football community in North Queensland so they can continue to develop.
“Hopefully some could be late bloomers, and some still haven’t hit their straps yet. So I’m sure there’s always opportunities for them to continue to develop, and they can do that within our club system with the coaches and players that we have there.”
UNDER-17 GIRLS
Incumbent under-17s coach Rebecca Petersen will take charge again this season as the Blackhawks look to nurture their growing female pathway.
Petersen had a simple blueprint for the type of players she wants in her squad.
“We’re looking for some passionate, hardworking and resilient players,” Petersen said.
“We’ve got a good group of probably 36 at the moment who are very dedicated to training, putting in the effort and showing resilience. So it’s going to be a hard decision.”
Petersen said the focus for her younger group would be improving their fitness and rugby league basics before adding more nuance to their structure.
“It will be a lot of strength and conditioning, and a lot of on and off field sessions,” Petersen said.
“Also, we’ve gone back and touched on all the basic skills and drills, just to make sure everyone’s up to date on all that before we move forward.
“The team will be selected on a 27th of November, and then we’ll actually go straight into team training.”
Petersen encouraged any girl that misses the cut to put their head down and try again in 12 month.
“Just keep working hard. Set some goals for the next local club season or school season, keep pushing forward to what you want to achieve, and I’m pretty sure they’ll be back there next year,” she said.
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Originally published as Junior Townsville Blackhawks coaches reveal tips for train and trial success in U17s, U19s boys and girls
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