ARARAT student and Stawell Warriors footballer Jackson Taurau has packed his bags and is set for a 10-day tour with the under-16 VicCountry team — taking him one step closer to his ultimate dream.
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Taurau has undergone an extensive training regime full of carnivals, camps and testing which finished with the announcement of the final squad last Tuesday night.
The 16-year-old Marian College student was shocked and overwhelmed by his selection, but felt an impressive stint for the North Ballarat Rebels at championships level had left him in good stead.
Spending the majority of his game time for the Rebels in the middle of the ground as well as floating across half back, Taurau saw plenty of action.
His slick skills and pace around the contest impressed selectors, but it was his poise and composure that put him ahead of the rest and led to him being named most valuable player for the team.
With selection into the VicCountry squad, Taurau will leave for Melbourne tomorrow morning where he will spend two days training with his Victorian teammates before they fly out to the Gold Coast on Friday for the beginning of the National Championships.
Taurau is taking each day as it comes and is looking forward to the experience of representing his state.
“I just want to keep improving my football,” Taurau said.
“I’m excited, I’m not really nervous, I’ll just give it my best and be happy with that. What will be will be.”
For a long time Taurau has pushed his ambitions of playing AFL aside, but as he takes steps in the right direction his desire is becoming stronger.
“This is just a step in the right direction for me,” he said.
“I am one step closer to my dreams becoming reality. It is the start of everything.”
Taurau made the step up to senior football this year with the Warriors and while VicCountry commitments was where he focused most of his attention, he said he’s enjoying the extra pressure and the physicality of playing against the bigger bodies in the Wimmera.
While the youngster has built his game around the style of Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe, Taurau is a passionate Essendon supporter and hopes that he can one day join either team at the elite level.
Taurau’s older brother Tom is currently involved in the North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup program, which is something Jackson has aspired to compete in next year.
“He is my absolute idol,” Taurau said.
“He has been the whole time I’ve been growing up and I would like to follow in his footsteps by playing in the TAC cup next year.”
