Next week 19 students from across the Katherine region will travel to South Australia to represent the Northern Territory at the Pacific School Games.
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Katherine Primary School teacher Tim East has been working hard as a satellite coach to prepare nine touch football players for the games.
“I am hopeful they will do well, as always it is hard for the NT teams because players are spread right across the Territory which makes it difficult,” Mr East said.
“I am a satellite coach, so the head coaches email me the drills and things to run with the players here in Katherine.
“I think they are all pretty excited to go,” he said.
St Joseph College Year 6 student Neve Rankine said this year was her first time competing in the games.
“We have been doing a lot of training to get ready. I also got picked for athletics but I chose to play touch.”
William Wallace also had to turn down the opportunity to swim for the NT after being chosen for two teams.
“I chose touch because I really like the coach and I like playing touch,” Mr Wallace said.
“I am excited to see all of my friends from Grafton where I used to live, who are also competing.”
Year 7 student Harley Byers was chosen to play in the U15 team at just 12-years-old.
“I am excited to go to Adelaide and buy lots of Krispy Kremes doughnuts but I am most excited about playing. I am really keen,” Mr Byers said.
“I was really surprised when I was picked to play.”
Year 10 student Sarah Assmus said she loves playing touch because it is competitive without being too rough.
“I am really keen to play with all of the girls I tried out with. Hopefully we have a chance at winning,” Ms Assmus said.
“If we all put our minds to it I think we will do well,” she said.
Competing at this level is not cheap, as each athlete will need to pay $3200 in order to realise their dreams to represent the Northern Territory at this international event.
The teams have been hard at work fundraising for the event.
The Katherine athletes are: (football) Harry Gregg, Ryan Masters; (Touch U12 boys) Jace Byers, William Wallace: (Touch U12 girls) Charlize Simmonds, Neve Rankine-Johnson, Emily Boalar, Jordyn Hohn: (U15 Touch boys) Kyran Harding, Harley Byers: (U15 Touch girls) Brianna Simmonds, Elyssia Tallon Rosas, Sarah Assmus; (swimming) Jimmy Rollinson, Kaiarose Tisbe, Joe Dobson; (track) Simeon Tallon Rosas, Nelly Thomas, Warren Draper,