Backing local champions. - neafl

By James Fennessy
The HSC exam period
can be a stressful
time, and so can playing
football for a
side where no spot
is guaranteed but
no matter where you
are, and what tough
times lay ahead, it’s
always good to have
a mate nearby.
For 18-year-old Jacob Townsend
that mate is GIANTS teammate
Kurt Aylett.
The pair who grew-up across
the road from each other in the
country New South Wales town of
Leeton, embarked on their football
adventure together and now head
to Wagga Wagga to represent the
GIANTS and rural NSW.
“Kurt and I played in the same
side since Under-12’s through to
Under-16’s,” Townsend said.
“His house and my house are
probably about 400 metres away
from each other.”
The pair played for the Leeton
Crows, who will be playing in
Wagga Waggaon the same day
the GIANTS are in town.
“I think they’re playing at the
same time as us so I’m not sure
how many of my mates will get
down to our game,” Townsend
said.
Townsend said he remains
focused even though he is in the
middle of his HSC exam period at
Patrician Brothers in Blacktown,
where his favourite subjects
are Physical Education and
woodwork.
“The HSC is going
alright at the moment, I’ve been
going good at school so
hopefully I can keep
carrying that through
to exams,”
he said.
“I’m enjoying the
practical side of things,
like making things from
scratch in woodwork.
“I’m thinking that if footy
wasn’t there I’d probably
be looking for work in the
building and construction
industry.”
The young football
talent said it can be hard juggling
school with training and playing
but acknowledged the GIANTS
ongoing support.
“The club has been really good
with that,” he said.
“If I have got a lot
of school work on
they will say ‘stay at
school and do
assignments’ which
is great.”
Townsend is looking forward to
throwing on a GIANTS jumper
when GWS meet Belconnen at
Wagga Wagga, just a short drive
down the Sturt Highway from his
hometown.
“Having family watching me will
make me want to play better but
every time I play for the GIANTS
I want to do my best,” Townsend
said.
“To play in a regional spot is good
for the GIANTS and also for the
footy in that area,” he said.
“To have a quality game of
football in Wagga is great for the
development of the game.”