U16 RAMS ready for the Championships

The event, held in Sydney’s Blacktown from July 3 to 10, will feature the World XVIII and the South Pacific team at this year’s Championships.

This is the perfect platform for players to impress with all 18 club talent scouts looking on as they scour Australia and abroad for the best young talent.

“We’re happy with the final 25 players we’ve chosen, we were very happy with the 45 and 46 we had at our camps but unfortunately you need to make a call on some of these guys,” Denneman said.

“We’re very pleased with the group that gets its opportunity at the under-16 National Championships, there are a few players who unfortunately missed out due to injury but the players that have been chosen will do a great job.”

Looking to go one better than their grand final defeat last season, the RAMS’ preparation for the Championships has been ideal with the team in a good position to match it with the best footballers from Australia and abroad.

Denneman said while he is looking forward to seeing how the players perform on the big stage he wants his players to take as much out of the experience as they can.

“We just want to make sure these kids develop at the rate we would expect,” he said.

“The format has changed slightly with the World and South Pacific teams coming in and we look forward to that concept and it’s one that needs to be embraced, but we’ve got ten days and three games and for many of these boys it is the first time they’ve been on planes and played at these types of facilities.

“It can be a little bit daunting for the players but it is about trying to get rid of all those things early and try and knuckle down and play good footy.”
If the RAMS feature prominently in the Championships they will get the opportunity to play on football’s biggest stage.

“Forty-four players get the chance to play in the AFL Grand Final and if you can be the curtain-raiser to that sort of activity in front of a large crowd at anytime during the day I don’t think there would be anything better at this time in their lives.”

The RAMS have been strengthened this year in their coaching department with the likes of former Western Bulldogs player Rohan Smith, former Carlton vice-captain Nick Stevens and under-16 RAMS coach Danny Stevens leading the way.

Denneman said the contribution from all three personnel and the TPP coaching staff has been outstanding and is assisting in player development.

“Rohan Smith, Nick Stevens and Danny Stevens all have unique characteristics about them and I think they provide the players with a rare insight into the game and what the modern player looks like and what modern tactics look like. All of them at this stage have done a tremendous job.”