By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE young guns of the Pakenham Silverbacks gridiron club continue to take impressive strides forward in their development in the sport, with four exciting prospects set to represent their state on the international stage.
Chevy Edwards, Mitch Farrant, Daniel Vukibaleita and James Avia have been selected in a 40-man Victorian Eagles junior squad that will take on teams from Singapore and Shanghai during a two-week international campaign in Singapore in September. It’s a first for Gridiron Victoria.
It’s a massive commitment from the Pakenham boys but it is an opportunity they’ve jumped at. It was too good not to.
In the last month before the Eagles jet off to Singapore, the side will train twice a week – on Wednesday and Friday nights – at JJ Holland Park in Kensington.
The Pakenham boys have been hard at work for weeks now, following their coaches’ every instruction.
The head coach of the Silverbacks’ junior side Leed Wesolowski is also involved with the Eagles as special teams co-ordinator and offensive line coach.
While in Singapore, the Victorian side will play, train, and even rest like a fully professional gridiron outfit.
“The program itself is incredible – it’s nothing like anything Gridiron Victoria has done before, so this is a first for us,” said Gridiron Victoria registrar Ash Trimble, who is also one of the masterminds behind the Silverbacks.
For Edwards, who aims to play the sport at the highest level he can, making the trip over is a dream come true.
The Eagles’ international program was the brainchild of Gridiron Victoria vice president Mark Levin who organised the games and the travel to and from Singapore.
“If you go to (play) football or rugby you can go up, and up and up to higher levels,” Trimble said.
“We haven’t been able to previously, but now we’re saying to our juniors to play hard and play well during the season and this is the opportunity they could have.
“We’ve got 16 and 17-year-old kids who’re travelling in a group of 40 overseas.”
For Edwards, Wesolowski and the other Silverbacks involved, the trip would be an invaluable opportunity to network and grow their knowledge base in a sport that continues to strengthen its foothold in Melbourne’s south-east.
But the journey isn’t a cheap exercise. Anyone or any companies who would like to help out with sponsorship are encouraged to contact the Silverbacks by email at info@silverbacks.com.au.
