Albert to captain Australian team
Shellie Brennan
WHEN it comes to rugby league the sky's the limit for Kempsey youngster Albert Kelly. In front of a packed Suncorp Stadium crowd, Albert will lead the Australian under 16s Indigenous side onto the field to play against New Zealand on Friday night.
The match is a curtain-raiser to the Bundaberg ANZAC Test, when the Australian side take on their New Zealand counterparts.
At the age of 16, Albert has proved his talent on the footy field time and time again. Last year he represented the NSW Koori's under 16s in the three-match Tri Series against the Queensland Murri's. Each match was played prior to Tri Nations fixtures in Sydney and Brisbane.
The NSW Koori's won the series 2-1, with 36-14 and 24-22 wins in games one and two respectively, while the Queensland side enjoyed a 22-16 win in game three.
Albert playing in the five-eight role received the honour of being voted the best player from NSW for the series.
In March 2007, the NSW Under-16 Kooris triumphed over their Queensland counterparts in a match played at Suncorp Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Brisbane against Penrith NRL clash.
The match doubled as a selection trial for an Australian Under-16 Indigenous side to play New Zealand prior to the Bundaberg Test on April 20. Albert not only was selected for the team but was given the honour of captaining the side.
On top of his representative duties Albert found the time to play in the Group 2 competition with the Gimbisi Warriors under 18s team.
The Warriors were a force to be reckoned with on the field and won the 2006 premiership.
It comes as no surprise that a player of Albert's calibre is being sought after by five NRL clubs.
For the past year he has been under contract with Parramatta. He signed for another year with the club last week. He is currently playing in the Harold Matthews under 16s cup.
Albert has left his rugby league options open as his contract with Parramatta will finish next year.
Grandfather of the talented footballer Louis Kelly told The Macleay Argus he met with Albert and his manager Steve Gilles last week as Parramatta offered him a four-year contract.
"Parramatta is a good junior club and what they provide for kids like Albert is unbelievable," Louis said.
"The club is a first class organisation as far as junior league is concerned.
"Steve was not interested in the offer from Parramatta and we all decided Albert will play one year with Parramatta and see what happens in the future because four other NRL clubs are interested in him."
The other NRL clubs who have their eyes on Albert include St George, Eastern Suburbs, Brisbane Broncos and Manly Sea Eagles.
Louis could not speak highly enough of his grandson and said all the hard work Albert has put in over the years is starting to pay off.
"It is a huge honour for Albert to be the captain of the Australian Indigenous side," he said.
"I have no doubt one day he will play A-grade in the NRL."
http://kempsey.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=rugby%20league&story_id=576108&category=Rugby%20League
May be a difficult task to keep Albert at Parra... I hope he doesn't end up at Manly!
Shellie Brennan
WHEN it comes to rugby league the sky's the limit for Kempsey youngster Albert Kelly. In front of a packed Suncorp Stadium crowd, Albert will lead the Australian under 16s Indigenous side onto the field to play against New Zealand on Friday night.
The match is a curtain-raiser to the Bundaberg ANZAC Test, when the Australian side take on their New Zealand counterparts.
At the age of 16, Albert has proved his talent on the footy field time and time again. Last year he represented the NSW Koori's under 16s in the three-match Tri Series against the Queensland Murri's. Each match was played prior to Tri Nations fixtures in Sydney and Brisbane.
The NSW Koori's won the series 2-1, with 36-14 and 24-22 wins in games one and two respectively, while the Queensland side enjoyed a 22-16 win in game three.
Albert playing in the five-eight role received the honour of being voted the best player from NSW for the series.
In March 2007, the NSW Under-16 Kooris triumphed over their Queensland counterparts in a match played at Suncorp Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Brisbane against Penrith NRL clash.
The match doubled as a selection trial for an Australian Under-16 Indigenous side to play New Zealand prior to the Bundaberg Test on April 20. Albert not only was selected for the team but was given the honour of captaining the side.
On top of his representative duties Albert found the time to play in the Group 2 competition with the Gimbisi Warriors under 18s team.
The Warriors were a force to be reckoned with on the field and won the 2006 premiership.
It comes as no surprise that a player of Albert's calibre is being sought after by five NRL clubs.
For the past year he has been under contract with Parramatta. He signed for another year with the club last week. He is currently playing in the Harold Matthews under 16s cup.
Albert has left his rugby league options open as his contract with Parramatta will finish next year.
Grandfather of the talented footballer Louis Kelly told The Macleay Argus he met with Albert and his manager Steve Gilles last week as Parramatta offered him a four-year contract.
"Parramatta is a good junior club and what they provide for kids like Albert is unbelievable," Louis said.
"The club is a first class organisation as far as junior league is concerned.
"Steve was not interested in the offer from Parramatta and we all decided Albert will play one year with Parramatta and see what happens in the future because four other NRL clubs are interested in him."
The other NRL clubs who have their eyes on Albert include St George, Eastern Suburbs, Brisbane Broncos and Manly Sea Eagles.
Louis could not speak highly enough of his grandson and said all the hard work Albert has put in over the years is starting to pay off.
"It is a huge honour for Albert to be the captain of the Australian Indigenous side," he said.
"I have no doubt one day he will play A-grade in the NRL."
http://kempsey.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=rugby%20league&story_id=576108&category=Rugby%20League
May be a difficult task to keep Albert at Parra... I hope he doesn't end up at Manly!
