Australia beckons

Mosgiel touch players (from left) Abbey Johnston (15), Josh Duff and Paige Thomson (both 14) have...
Mosgiel touch players (from left) Abbey Johnston (15), Josh Duff and Paige Thomson (both 14) have been selected for the New Zealand mixed under-15 touch team which will compete in Australia in August. Photo supplied.
Three Mosgiel teenagers are hoping to touch success when they join the New Zealand mixed under-15 touch team in Australia later this year.

The three play in the Taieri Plains sub region competition and will compete against Australian state teams in the Gold Coast in August.

St Hilda's Collegiate School pupils Abbey Johnston and Paige Thomson and King's High School pupil Josh Duff have been selected for the team following their success for the Otago under-15 team.

Otago Touch development officer Grant Milne said he was ''immensely'' pleased with the success of the Taieri Plains players.

He predicted the trio and the New Zealand team would be ''extremely successful'' at the tournament.

The players were a product of the success of the Taieri Plains sub region set-up, he said.

''It's a good environment for the players to develop their game and they are encouraged to do so.''

Sub region junior touch co-ordinator Rodney Johnston said officials were ''ecstatic'' about the success of their young players.

It was ''unprecedented'' for the sub region to have three players in a national team.

''There's a pathway for kids to reach representative honours,'' he said of the set-up.

''We have a good atmosphere and a good environment for kids to get together and have some fun.''

Abbey, Paige and Josh are part of a 16-strong team, which also includes Otago player Jimmy Sinclair.

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