Named player of the carnival in the locally hosted Primary Boys State Soccer Championships this week, Jarrod White was given a workout as the North West team’s goalie.
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The regional team had two draws and five losses, coming in 12th place altogether. Energetic and alert, White kept each team at bay for as long as he could, and his dedication was noticed by organisers.
North West coach Darrel Mole admitted the Gum Flat player and his team mates were at a disadvantage, facing several players who were in city development squads and teams who were able to train more regularly than spread out country teams. However he was proud of their efforts.
“The boys steadily built throughout the carnival and were playing really good football be the end,” he said. Mole said he hoped they took on board the lessons learnt over the three days, and said it was good for the country players to have a taste of the skills needed to compete at a higher level.
The North West team’s main chance to practice was during the Inverell Carnival, where White faced off with his usual representative team – and won. White plays soccer each Saturday in his own division and as the goalie in the under 17s. He let just one goal in during the Glen Innes Carnival last week and is determined to keep up the good work in next week’s Moree Carnival.
Soccer is not White’s only love. The young sports star had an impressive result in the zone athletics last week, and will go on to the next stage in the 100 metre, 200 metre and relay races, with a personal best of 12.95 in the 100 metre.
He also went to Homebush for state swimming earlier in the year, and had a personal best of 39 seconds in the 100 metre. White also volunteers in the district Rural Fire Service cadet program.
“I’m very proud that he can represent Inverell and the Gum Flat community at such a high level,” his father Ray White said.