Eight youngsters from all parts of Queensland are the initial recipients of a Michael Voss Scholarship, instituted this year by the AFL to help boost the career path of AFL hopefuls. Selection is based on outstanding athletic and football capabilities that are above the level of their peers and is designed specifically to help recipients pursue their dream to play at the elite level. Scholarship benefits may include: * Access to high standard training facilities * High performance coaching * Performance reporting and supervision * Access to specialised fitness conditioning * Sports science and sports medicine services. * Reimbursement of education expenses to set limits. * Incidental expenses to set limits. Ranging in age from 13 to 17, the group includes four players from the Cairns/North Queensland region, with two from the Gold Coast and one each from Rockhampton and the Sunshine Coast. Recipients of a scholarship named in honor of Queensland's greatest AFL product (pictured) are:- Zac Smith (Rockhampton) A 205cm 17-year-old who played junior soccer for Queensland Country and played Futsal for Queensland. He was identified playing AFL for North Rockhampton State High last year in the Brisbane Lions Cup and was a member of the Country Kookaburras team that finished runners up in this year's State U18 Championships. Nick Price (Sunshine Coast) A 16-year-old who excels not only in AFL but also athletics, cricket and rugby. A member of the State U15 Schoolboys in 2006 and the U16 Young Scorpions that won division two NAB national championship, he attends Sunshine Coast Grammar on a sporting scholarship and plays with Caloundra Marc Lock (Gold Coast) A 16-year-old from Southport who was a member of the U16 Young Scorpions that won from division two NAB national championship this year. Chris Hunt (Cairns) A 16 year-old from Cairns. Tall and athletic, he is currently attending St Peter's Lutheran College in Brisbane as part of a scholarship. Was a member of the Queensland U15 Schoolboys side in 2006. Rex Liddy (Hopevale) An exciting 15-year-old from Far North Queensland with electric pace and great skill who is attending St.Peter's College in Brisbane on scholarship and playing with Kenmore. Is a cousin of North Queensland Cowboys rugby league star Matt Bowen and was a member of the Queensland U15 Schoolboys in 2006 as a 14-year-old and won All-Australian selection at the national carnival in Darwin. Was also a member of 2007 U16 Young Scorpions who won the division two NAB national championship. Patrick Nandy (Bloomfield River) A 13-year-old from a small community about four hours north of Cairns who is attending St Peter's College in Brisbane on scholarship. Has a limited football background but was judged the best player at the State U12 championships in 2006, when he made the Queensland U12 schoolboys team. Is playing with Kenmore. Dalton Tucker (Gold Coast) A 14-year-old tall athletic player with natural pace and good all round skills who also excels in athletics and rugby league. Was awarded the best player at the State U12 championships in 2005 and captained the Queensland U12 schoolboys team the same year. Was a member of the Queensland U15 schoolboys as a 14year-old in 2007 and plays with Southport. Peter Yagmoor (Cairns) A tall 14-year-old from Cairns who possesses great natural athletic ability and is also a North Queensland junior cricket representative. Played with Queensland Country at the State U15 schoolboy championships this year and was named as an emergency for the State U15 schoolboy team. Also made the Country Kookaburras U14 team in 2007. Plays with North Cairns Tigers.
Last Modified on 01/12/2020 09:49