RAMS’ Jacob Townsend joins GWS

Team GWS has secured yet another exciting young footballer from Southern NSW with 17 year old Jacob Townsend of Leeton signing on to join the club for the next three years.

Townsend is now the sixth player from the region to join GWS under the Club’s zoning concessions.

Capping off a remarkable year, Townsend was earlier this month selected in the AIS AFL Academy Program, placing him amongst the best 30 young footballers from around the country. Adding to this impressive achievement, Townsend was the only player selected from NSW.

His work with the Team GWS TAC Cup side earned him the runners up trophy in the Club’s first ever best and fairest award and he now becomes just the second player to graduate from the GWS TAC Cup side onto the Club’s AFL list.

Townsend, a developing utility, came through the AFL (NSW/ACT) Talented Player Program and impressed earlier this year when he played a pivotal role for the Under 18 RAMS in the NAB National Championships.

Townsend said he was still in shock following a huge month for the Leeton teenager.

“It really is very exciting news and a pretty special time for me. It’s been a hectic few weeks but now I just can’t wait until it all starts.

“Coming from a small town like Leeton you just don’t get chances like this everyday. You have to make the most of the opportunities that you get, so I’m really proud that I can do this. With GWS now working in the area there are going to be just so many more opportunities for young players. I’m excited I get to be a part of that.

“I only started playing football when I was 13 so I didn’t really think I was ever going to be capable of playing at the elite level, but now it’s well and truly a dream come true.”

Team GWS High Performance Manager Alan McConnell worked with Townsend through the TAC Cup season and said that he was thrilled to have Townsend continue his development with the Club.

“With the stage he is at this is a fabulous decision for both Jacob and the Club. He now gets an extra year of development. It affords us the chance to develop him far more intensely than if he stayed home in Leeton.

“We think complementing his training with the personal development he’ll get from his year with the AIS program, along with his year of schooling here at Patrician Brothers in Blacktown, collectively that will be a really rounded program for him.

“It’s always been our stated position that we wanted to have as much NSW talent on our list as possible, it’s fabulous that another young boy from Southern NSW has been recognised with a contract at our Club.”

Townsend will move to Sydney in October to begin school at Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown.

GWS remains committed to providing a genuine pathway and development opportunities for players from across NSW and ACT. Townsend now joins four other Southern NSW recruits Kurt Aylett, Sam Schulz, Anthony Miles and Mark Whiley along with Canberra’s Josh Bruce.