Richard Tonizzo is Echuca’s nomination for this season’s Mooroopna Golf Club Rising Star Award.
The 17-year-old St Joseph’s College Year 11 student is one of a crop of young players on their way to senior football, the Murray Bombers are hoping will make them a force in the league once again.
While their seniors recorded their first win for the season against Shepparton at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton, last Saturday, the Murray Bombers thirds were bought back to earth by Shepparton Bears for the first time.
Richard was one member of the side who could hold his head high after Shepparton inflict their first defeat of the side, being named the Murray Bombers best.
Richard started his football career with Echuca Green in the Goulburn Campaspe Junior Football League where he played 25 games before a further 13 with the Greens in the Shepparton District Junior Football League in the Under 16’.
He progressed to the Under 18’s last season and represented the Shepparton DJFL against Bendigo in the Interleague Challenge for Under 16 players while continuing to play for Echuca White in the SDJFL.
This season he has played four thirds and two senior games, being selected in the GVFL Under 18 squad for the Country Championships but missed the cut along with several other talented Under 18 players.
Of course the GVFL side went on to win its third straight championship and number one rating in the state as the best Under 18 side.
To miss the cut at 16 to get into this side was no disgrace because the quality of young men pushing for selection was once again all quality.
All up, Richard has played more than 60 games for the Green and Whites and more senior games look a fore gone conclusion as the Murray Bombers rebuild.
His Thirds coach this season is another former Echuca star, Phillip Evans, who has the Murray Bombers, including Richard, developing their footy skills and looking at playing finals footy.
Phillip is full of praise for the Bendigo Pioneers squad member and both are hoping he develops into a quality player like his older brother Matt who played for Echuca before moving to Canberra and now Queensland with his footy.
Richard’s mother Pauline (nee Fitzsimmons) who lost her husband when he was five has worked hard to bring up her three boys and a girl and she admires the way her son goes about his footy and study.
Pauline said Richard was disappointed at missing the GVFL Under 18 cut but is determined to be there next season.
Before being transferred to Melbourne in her job, Pauline would drive Richard to Pioneers training at Bendigo on a Wednesday, while he trains with Echuca on Tuesday and Thursday and does gym work on his nights off.
His brother Julian, who he now lives with, has the arduous job of transport Richard to training at Bendigo with the Pioneers.
Last Modified on 28/03/2015 18:34