Young team tackles Tigers

The Kimberley’s best young footballers have tested their mettle against Claremont Football Club’s colts team during a Kimberley Regional Service Providers Cup match over the weekend.

Kimberley Spirit’s under-19s developing player group produced creative running play, while the more polished Claremont team played their brand of WAFL-influenced structured footy at Haynes Oval last Saturday.

Kimberley Spirit program co-ordinator Shaun Norman said it was an unforgettable opportunity for the squad of 22 Spirit players to play against seasoned State players but also use skills gained through selection camps.

“An opportunity for the guys to play against some of the best young footballers in the State — we’ve had two camps with boys from Broome, Warmun, Fitzroy Crossing, Kununurra, Derby and Looma,” he said. “We want to see what they can do, play proactive and play the Kimberley brand of football, all I want to see is 100 per cent effort and have them walk off the field with their heads held high — I can vouch for every single one of them, they have all done really well.

“That’s the official program finished for Kimberley Spirit but players will be given individual plans to use for training and where they can improve but also where their strengths are — I think everyone has seen out there that there is a lot of talent in the Kimberley.”

Colts coach Ross McQueen said he hoped the 25 colts players had enjoyed their weekend in the Kimberley, including the match itself as well as fishing and swimming in Beagle Bay.

“It was a good game of footy and hopefully we see a few of the Spirit boys come down to Perth either this year or next or the one after,” he said.

“There is some real talent in the Kimberley and hopefully we can foster some of that development.”