26 October 2007 - 8:42AM View all news | Send to a friend | Print
Newcastle Knights signed lad a step closer to ‘dream’
Shellie Brennan
Kieran Vale
KIERAN Vale is on the path to an illustrious career in rugby league.
The 16-year-old has been selected in the 2008 SG Ball summer train on squad.
Earlier this year, Kieran signed a three-year contract with the Newcastle Knights.
This was a ‘dream opportunity’ for the former Kempsey High School student as the Knights are ‘his team.’
Kieran will start training on November 5 and will play two trial matches next year against Parramatta and Penrith.
Kieran is following in the footsteps of other local lads, Malcolm Webster and Albert Kelly ,who have signed deals with South Sydney and Parramatta Eels respectively and will play in the SG Ball competition next year.
It would be hard to find a prouder father than Eddie Vale. He talked to the Macleay Argus this week and the glow in his eyes said it all.
“I am very proud of Kieran and what he has achieved in the six months he has been down in Newcastle,” Eddie Vale said.
“One thing we did as parents was not push him to go to Newcastle. He told us he wanted to go to Hunter Sports High.
“He was not meant to go until 2008, but when the sports master read his achievements he jumped at the chance to get Kieran there as quickly as possible.”
Eddie said Knights premier league coach Brian Smith had watched Keiran play in trials and was very pleased in the way he handled the pace and his ball skills and pace.
Knights Coaching and Development Officer Warren Smiles believes Kieran has many attributes of a modern player.
Smiles said Kieran’s selection in the train on squad was a stepping stone to a football career.
Club officials told Eddie anyone that comes from the bush takes a year or two to get where Kieran has got in just six months.
Kieran, who played for such clubs as Kempsey Dragons, Nambucca Heads and Dunghutti, was a member of the Western Suburbs grand final team who played against Maitland in the Newcastle competition.
Kieran scored two tries in the game and both teams were named joint premiers when the encounter ended in a draw.
“Kieran started playing as a five-year-old and has never looked back,” Eddie said.
“He has got his football family around him who support him.
“I think he is focused and he pretty well knows what he wants. He loves what he is doing.
“I would like to think others will support the kids in the town who are aiming to achieve what the likes of Kieran, Mal and Albert have. There are plenty of stars around Kempsey.”
Kieran would like to wish Mal and Albert all the best for the 2008 season.
Eddie would like to thank everyone who had a hand in helping Kieran accomplish so much in this sport.
http://kempsey.yourguide.com.au/new...igned-lad-a-step-closer-to-dream/1075962.html
