Although it’s been a little quiet in recent years, Murwillumbah High has produced it’s fair share of champions and now two more have joined the ranks with Aaron Devine and Riley Yates both about to represent their state.
Aaron Devine has made the Combined High School’s basketball team while Riley Yates is in the CHS touch football side.
Murwillumbah High Schools Sports Coordinator Stuart Elder said he was proud of the achievements of both boys.
“It is very rare that country students get selected for such a prestigious opportunity, these hand-picked teams are usually made up of at least eight from the wider Sydney Metropolitan Region, with a small number being selected from country NSW,” he said.
“Having two of our students selected is an incredible achievement and one that the Murwillumbah community can be very proud of.”
Aaron Devine has been selected as one of ten for the NSWCHS State Basketball team, with only one other country student being selected from Dubbo.
According to Stuart, Aaron is the first for approximately six years to be selected from the North Coast and the first for many years from Far North Coast.
Riley is the first in five years to be chosen for the Touch Football Team.
Riley will also be heading off in the next fortnight to the selection trials for the NSW CHS Rugby League Team.
Both boys will head to the next level of selection in the coming weeks at the All Schools which combines both Public and Independent Schools in NSW and those selected here will compete at the National Level.
Riley said this was his highest sporting achievement yet.
“I have made a big effort to get selected in previous years, but it hasn’t happened, this time I noticed the selectors were paying close attention to my game it gave me a big boost of confidence and helped me to play my best on the day.”
Aaron who swapped over to basketball after a rugby injury, only three years ago, and says it feels great to reach this level after such a short time playing.
“If I don’t get through to the next level I’m just happy to have got this far,” he said.
“I didn’t expect it.”
Aaron who has played with local Tweed Coast Slammers, and the Gold Coast Rep team, was the youngest player to be selected for the Intensity Super League, a semi professional league including several NBL players and two NBA Draftees.
