08 Feb, 2010 08:50 AM
Parramatta Eels recruitment officer Rod Reddy came to Cowra late last year to watch the Magpies under 18s do battle in the group 10 competition.
He ended up inviting four Magpies under 15s players back to Eels headquarters.
Reddy was here to watch our under 18s on the Sunday and saw our under 15s on the Saturday, and thought hed have a quick look, Magpies trainer Albert Murray explains.
Halfback Jyedn Murray, five-eighth Aiden Craig, lock-forward Lachlan Boyd, and centre Isaac Beaten, all caught the eye of Reddy, who saw great early potential in the 14 year olds.
They really impressed me with their athletic ability, Reddy said.
They had the basic foundations of the game, and had nice shape and skills.
Reddy was so impressed with the boys talent, he invited them to a three day training camp over the school holidays with the Parramatta Club, and liked what he saw.
We bought them to Parramatta to give them an insight into what happens in the NRL.
All four kids impressed me with their willingness to learn and listen, and it made it easier for us because we were able to treat them like young adults.
They had the ability to mix with other players and learn from different coaches quite well, which is a good sign for the future.
The boys also attended information sessions run by Parramatta head coach Daniel Anderson, CEO Paul Osborne and club captain Nathan Cayless.
They were also involved in a skills session with the first grade team.
The young Magpies were all representatives of the under 14s Western Academy side who travelled to Penrith to beat the under 14s Panthers side, last season, but nothing prepared them for their Eels experience.
They were a bit overwhelmed by it all, they got to meet their heroes, Murray said.
The boys got an understanding of how much work is involved in being an NRL footballer, but it was the amount of basic training Parramatta did that surprised them there was no secret formula like they thought there would be, it was just hard work.
Feleti Meteo even gave them some of his footy boots.
It wasnt all fun and games for the boys though, they were given a good work out and learnt why Nathan Hindmarsh and his teams mates can run and tackle all day.
The boys were put through fifteen, 100 metre sprints in under four minutes, and a two hour weights session which they werent used to, Murray said.
Despite having obvious talent, and showing plenty of promise, Reddy and the Eels wont be rushing the young Magpies stars to the bigger competitions just yet.
They will get every chance to play first grade, but the most important thing right now is for them to stay in Cowra and finish high school, Reddy said.
At their young ages, they should be looking to make the Central West country team first, then we can look at them coming to the Parramatta clubthe Australian Institute of Sport under 18s squad is also a possibility.
Murray said the Parramatta club treated the boys exceptionally well and even though there is every chance they will be approached by other NRL clubs before they leave school, Murray said they will show loyalty to the club who spotted them first.
When we got to Parramatta, they provided a really friendly atmosphere and put the boys up in accommodation.
I think all of them will stay loyal to Parramatta in the future and do their best to make Parramatta their first choice NRL club.
Their confidence has improved out of sight since they got back and this is shaping up to be their biggest season in junior football.
Even though Parramatta wont be asking them to play in their junior representative teams, they will still have their eye on them.
Ill be coming back to Cowra a few times this year to have a look at them and monitor their progress, Reddy said Im sure its been a real eye-opener for all four kids, and we are trying to provide that pathway for them so that one day, we may see them at the NRL level.
