Team GWS welcomes trio

Team GWS is thrilled to announce that exciting young trio Curtly Hampton from the Northern Territory, along with Sam Schulz and Mark Whiley from Southern NSW have signed on to join the club in 2011.

The players have each signed three year deals with Team GWS through the zoned access afforded to the club under the AFL’s list concessions awarded last year.

Team GWS has zoned access to players from southern NSW, ACT and Greater Western Sydney across the 2010 to 2013 national drafts, as well as players from the Northern Territory who will be draft eligible by the time of the 2011, 2012 and 2013 national drafts.

Schulz, an explosive midfielder from Culcairn and Whiley, a rebounding defender from Finley have developed through the AFL (NSW/ACT) Talented Player Pathway together. Both boys are currently playing with the Murray Bushrangers.

Hampton, an AIS-AFL Academy graduate from Alice Springs, has impressed recruiters for a number of years after first playing at under-16 level as a 14-year-old. Hampton plays predominantly forward and through the midfield and this year he demonstrated elite physical testing for speed, agility and endurance.

Team GWS Chief Executive Officer Dale Holmes said this was a very exciting time for the emerging cub.

“We’re thrilled to have secured these players. They are three impressive young men who have committed to this club and we are excited about our future with them.

“It’s a big announcement for the club as this is just the beginning. There will be even more players to come out of our zone and more players to offer this opportunity to.

“We’re proud that we can demonstrate our commitment to our region and really show that we can now provide genuine opportunities to young players from these areas.”

“What excites me is that these players see the potential of their future with GWS, and the support and welfare that we are building into this club.

“The boys from Southern NSW have elected to join GWS when they could have nominated for 2010 draft. This is great validation of the work our football department are doing. It says to me that we are moving in the right direction and establishing ourselves as a genuine option for talented players.”

Team GWS Head Coach, Kevin Sheedy said that he was looking forward to working with the three new recruits.

“This is a crucial milestone for us. These boys will be very important to our future,” Sheedy said.

“It’s just great to get the first three signed. We are really on track building this club. This is just the beginning, it’s going to be a great couple of years as we work with the best talent we can find. Under the list concessions and zoning options we have been given by the AFL, we have a genuine chance to build a strong list here.”

The three players can now focus on finishing their final year of school before moving to Greater Wester Sydney in November.

Sam Schulz
19/09/1992
Culcairn

“I just can’t wait to get up there to be honest.

“I made the decision because I think being apart of the first group at a new AFL club was just too good an opportunity.

“All I ever wanted to do I play AFL footy so this is really just too good to be true. A month ago I never even thought about meeting people like Kevin Sheedy or Paul Kelly and now I’m going to be working with them, it’s pretty amazing.

“Having signed now, it really takes the pressure off and I can focus on my school work”

Mark Whiley
1/12/1992
Finley

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind to be honest but I’m really excited.

“In the end I didn’t find the decision pretty easy. I went up there with Mum and Dad and we were really impressed with everyone we met and the club’s set up. I was pretty keen to get on board.

“It’s been a bit of a shock having people like Kevin Sheedy contacting you, but I guess I’m just going to get used to it.

Curtly Hampton
10/3/1993
Alice Springs

“This is all only really just starting to sink in now. It’s been my life dream to sign with an AFL club and I have finally got there. I can’t believe it, I’m just really happy.

“There are some great people involved in the club. Alan McConnell was my AIS coach so we were already close and Brett Hand was my coach at the Thunder. I’m really happy that I get to keep working with them as they have already helped me so much along the way.

“I just can’t wait to move to Sydney now and start training.”