WINGHAM'S John Roberts admits to having mixed feelings when named in the NSW under 14 merit touch football side following the regional championships held at Parkes.
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John was selected as a link. He had been a member of the Northern Eagles side. The Eagles had a moderate campaign, finishing fifth from six teams.
Gaining the attention of State selectors was good, John said.
"I was really excited when they read out the team,'' he said.
But being a merit side means he doesn't get to wear the sky blue in a game.
"I would have liked to keep playing touch,'' he said.
John is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order from Iguana. He was nominated by Taree Touch Association.
Northern Eagles takes in associations from the North Coast and New England areas. John was selected following the State Junior Cup played in Port Macquarie in February where he played for Taree under 14s, the side making the quarter-finals.
He started playing touch at Wingham a couple of years ago and this was his first crack at the State Junior Cup.
But while he rates touch highly, John prefers rugby league. He plays for Taree Panthers in the Group Three juniors, in the halves or fullback. He switched to the Panthers this year when Wingham didn't field a team in his age division.
John will represent Group Three in the northern country championships on Sunday, with the side scheduled to take part in further matches through the year.
"Contact,'' he said when asked why he favoured league.
"It's harder and you get more of a thrill out of it.''
He's also run at State schools level in athletics while he also dabbles in cricket.