The 2014 edition of the Vodafone Warriors’ annual NYC open trial has been expanded into a two-day event on October 18 and 19 at Auckland’s Cornwall Park.
Vodafone Warriors academy and pathways manager Duane Mann said analysis of the previous one-day trials had identified the need to improve both the structure of the event and its overall benefits for the club.
“This trial is now well-established and it has been hugely successful in providing opportunities for a number of players to become part of the Vodafone Warriors,” he said.
“We’re always on the lookout for young players from both rugby league and rugby union who have the potential to join our NYC and development squads.
“This time we’ll again have trial matches on the Saturday but will then invite players to return for a closed trial the following day. It will give us more time to analyse players and make an informed decision about those we’ll select to join the NYC squad’s offseason training programme.”
The timing of the trial has also been brought forward to October to ensure it is held before offseason training starts in November.
The Vodafone Warriors are interested in high-achieving rugby league and rugby union players born in the years 1995, 1996 and 1997.
Vodafone Warriors general manager football Dean Bell said the trial had opened the door for a number of players.
“We’ve had a lot of success with it and would urge anyone who has excelled at club, school or representative level to register for the trial. This could provide an exciting opportunity,” he said.
“Due to the elite nature of the NYC competition combined with the huge interest we encounter in trialling for the Vodafone Junior Warriors, we can’t guarantee everyone who registers will have the opportunity to trial.
“Fitness and speed testing is planned, so players should work hard to ensure it is at an acceptable level if they are given the opportunity to trial.”
After last year’s trial no fewer than eight players were not only selected to train with the NYC squad during the offseason but earned contracts and went on to make their debuts for the Vodafone Junior Warriors this year.
Michael Ki, James Bell, Jazz Tevaga and Paul Ulberg have played extensively this season with Tevaga and Bell both lining up in last Saturday’s qualifying final win over the Sydney Roosters while Ki was in the club’s New South Wales Cup side eliminated by Illawarra last night.
The others who went on to gain NYC debuts this year have been John Wesley Tauti, Tomasi Aoake, George Edwards and Mattais Heimuli.
Registrations of interest are now open for the October 18 trial. They close on October 9. Players who are invited to trial must bring their own shorts, socks, mouth guard and boots.
The programme is:
VODAFONE WARRIORS – NYC OPEN TRIAL
Saturday, October 18-Sunday, October 19
Cornwall Park, Puriri Drive, Epsom, Auckland
Day 1 | Open Trial
Registration from 9.00am, trials from 10.00am
Day 2 | Closed Trial
Assemble: 10.00am
