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South West Rocks resident Finn Askew has become the first Hastings athlete since 2010 to be named in the NSW Country development squad.
The 16-year-old’s next goal is to make the eventual NSW Country side for competitive events later in the season.
The NSW Country team will be in action in January when they take part in the 2019 Trans-Tasman Series.
It is a biennial event that involves athletes from New Zealand’s northern region and the Central Coast.
“It gives you a real sense of self-accomplishment knowing that you can mix it with people from bigger clubs like Cudgen,” Askew said of his selection in the development squad.
“It’s a real confidence-booster.
“I did think I was going to get picked in the squad, but you can never be 100 per cent certain.”
It gives you a real sense of self-accomplishment knowing that you can mix it with people from bigger clubs like Cudgen.
- Finn Askew
The teenager admitted he was proud to be able to represent the Mid North Coast and Tacking Point at such a high level.
“It’s a bit of a privilege to know I’m the first one to be selected (in the development squad) in a while,” he said.
As for goals he had set himself for the upcoming season, the teenager was hoping to continue to improve.
“Hopefully get picked in the NSW Country team which will be picked later in the season,” he said.
“Then if I get picked just place in the events like the swim, ski, board and iron.
“If I got to represent NSW Country it would be such a privilege – to represent our little area with the bigger states would be really cool to mix it with them and hopefully get a position or two.”
Representative coach Scott McCartney said Askew’s dedication to the sport was a contributing factor in his selection.
“He heads up to the Gold Coast and trains there when he can,” McCartney said.
The kids that have that sort of passion and want to be great are the ones that usually succeed at the next level.
- Scott McCartney
“It’s that sort of attitude that shows he does have goals and wants to succeed.
“The kids that have that sort of passion and want to be great are the ones that usually succeed at the next level.”
McCartney said Askew’s consistent results over the last few seasons also showed what he was capable of.
“He’s come on in leaps and bounds and the results speak words,” he said.
“We haven’t picked the final team yet, but I’d suggest he’s a very strong chance.”
The final team will be selected by November.
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