Net cast wide for Eels junior development squads
A huge spread of Parramatta Eels’ junior league players have been given the opportunity to train with the Club’s 2023 development squads.
Players from 13 Clubs are represented across the Under 14s, 15s and 16s development squads, as well as the Harold Matthews team.
Clubs represented include Hills, Wenty, Cabramatta, Greystanes, Mounties, All Saints Toongabbie, Rouse Hill, Canley Heights Dragons, Fairfield Pats, Guildford, Marconi, Parramatta City Titans and Kellyville.
More than 600 young players were invited to trial for the squads over a week-long period in August.
Junior league coaches had the opportunity to nominate players to trial, with Pathways Recruitment & Retention Manager Isaac De Gois and his team finalising the squads last week.
“The trials have been great for up-and-coming Western Sydney footballers,” De Gois said.
“This year’s process highlighted and the breadth of talent we have across our junior league clubs.
“We used a holistic approach in selecting the squads, covering every club in the catchment,” he said.
The interest from young players skyrocketed after junior development squads were scratched in the last two years due to COVID.
“The talent we saw came from such a diverse number of Clubs and areas across the Parramatta district,” De Gois said.
“It’s exciting to be a part of the process of discovering and developing future NRL stars from Eels territory,” he said.
Training kicks off in December.
A full list of the Eels’ 2023 junior development squads can be found below.