Promising Tocumwal footballer Riley Thompson has earned selection in the GWS Giants Academy under-16 squad, marking a significant milestone in his emerging AFL pathway.
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The 15 year-old recently represented the GWS Giants Academy at the AFL Marsh National Championships Under-16 Boys competition.
The opening round was played on Saturday, June 27 at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
The national championships feature the country’s leading under-16 talents, including representative teams such as Victorian Country and Victorian Metro.
The Giants Academy had a fantastic 10.16 (76) to 8.7 (55) victory over the Sydney Swans Academy.
Riley’s selection followed a competitive trial process involving about 60 players from across NSW.
The trials were held in Canberra on June 6 and featured athletes from the Giants Academy, also known as the AFL Northern Academy, along with eligible NSW based players from the Murray Bushrangers and Bendigo Pioneers.
Riley was among 23 players selected from the trials to represent the Giants Academy in a practice match against the Brisbane Lions in Canberra on June 13.
His strong performances earned him selection in the final squad for the Marsh National Championships.
The championships continue with rounds two and three on the Gold Coast from July 13 to 16, where all state and academy teams will compete.
Earlier this season, Riley also represented the Giants Academy against the Sydney Swans in Sydney on April 12.
He had also been selected to play against the Swans in Canberra on March 28, however that match was cancelled after the playing surface was flooded.
Riley Thompson in action for Cobram in the Murray Football League.
At club level, Riley plays under-17 football with Cobram in the Murray Football League.
His family has lived in Tocumwal for the past nine years, and he previously played junior football with Tocumwal in the under-12 competition after moving to town.
Riley was school captain at Tocumwal Public School in Year 6 and has attended St Mary’s of the Angels College.
He is set to start boarding at The Scots School Albury next term.
His selection in the national championships follows months of dedication and commitment, including travelling to Wagga Wagga twice each week for academy training.
The program has also involved regular travel to Canberra and Sydney for matches, as well as balancing school commitments and missing club training sessions and games.
The opportunity to represent the GWS Giants Academy at the AFL Marsh National Championships was a major achievement and reflects Riley’s hard work and continued development as one of our region’s promising young footballers.
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