Article courtesy of www.afl.com.au
PROMISING Victorian tall Tim Golds has become the first player to join Team GWS as one of its priority 17-year-olds.
Under the list concessions afforded to the club by the AFL Commission, Team GWS has the option to select up to a dozen 17-year-olds born between January and April, 1993.
Golds is the ninth player signed by GWS, joining zone selections Anthony Miles (Murray Bushrangers), Kurt Aylett, Sam Schulz (Murray Bushrangers), Mark Whiley (Murray Bushrangers), Josh Bruce, Shaun Edwards and Curtly Hampton, and rugby league convert Israel Folau.
The 192cm youngster, who attends Xavier College and hails from TAC Cup club Oakleigh Chargers and suburban club Balwyn, has played most of his football at half-back.
He was a member of the 2010 AIS-AFL Academy squad that toured South Africa and was awarded the Ben Mitchell Medal by his fellow squad members, for his outstanding personal qualities.
Previous winners of the medal include Melbourne's Jack Grimes, North Melbourne's Jack Ziebell and last year's recipient, Gold Coast youngster Josh Toy.
Golds said he was thrilled to secure a place on an AFL senior list with GWS.
"All my life I’ve dreamed of getting drafted by an AFL club and to be given the chance with Team GWS is unbelievable. I’ve seen the talent out there and to be picked in the same boat as some of those players is just such a huge honour," he said.
“I’m really looking forward to being a part of this club from the outset. I think that is one of the most exciting challenges about this and hopefully it’s something that I will be taking on with a number of the players I met through the AIS-AFL Academy.
Golds will remain in Melbourne in 2011 to complete his Year 12 studies before moving to Sydney to prepare for Team GWS' debut season in 2012.
Sydney Swans legend Michael O’Loughlin mentored Golds in his time with the AIS-AFL Academy and said that he was delighted for the young footballer.
“As a footballer, he is extremely athletic and reads the play brilliantly. He is a very coachable young man, always looking to learn more. It was a joy to be his mentor.
“He has a very bright future with GWS and I would expect him to see him assert himself as one of the future leaders of the club.”
Team GWS senior coach Kevin Sheedy was thrilled to have secured Golds' signature.
“I had the pleasure of travelling to South Africa with Tim and his family earlier this year with the AIS-AFL Academy. He certainly is an impressive young man and a very talented footballer," he said.
“When you begin to see to see the quality of the young players we are able to bring into this club, like Tim Golds, we can start build a strong foundation as these young men develop together, it’s pretty powerful.”
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Last Modified on 14/12/2010 13:53
