Merimbula Pambula Bulldog Euan Aitken will today embark on his first international tour.
The 16-year-old flies out for a 28-day tour of England, Wales and France with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) under 18 team.
The Aussies first match will be in France against the French under 19s team on Wednesday, November 23. They will then play France under 17s on Friday, November 25, before travelling to Wales to take on the Welsh under 18s on Wednesday, November 30.
Their final two matches will be in England against the English under 17s on Sunday, December 4, and the British Community Lions on Wednesday, December 7.
Aitken is the youngest member of the 26-man Australian side and will play in the centres.
He was selected in an AIS squad of 80 players earlier in the year; he made the final 50 cut, then the final 30 before being named in the final 26-player squad.
Aitken said he was looking forward to his first overseas trip, but more importantly getting a taste of rugby league at the international level.
“I’ve been training hard as well as attending four camps with the AIS squad. The camps were pretty long and they also give us plenty of work to do when we come home,” he said.
“I’m the youngest player in the side as the majority of players are 17 years old and about 10 players are 18, so I expect to learn a lot from them.
“I haven’t been overseas before so it’s going to be pretty exciting to experience different cultures, the diversity of the countries but most importantly to see how they shape up on the footy field.
“Last year the Aussies only won two out of five games, so hopefully we’ll go better this year. They will be out to show us Aussies how to play so we’re expecting a pretty tough tour. Either way it’s going to be a great way to cap off a big year.”
Aitken enjoyed a remarkable year having represented in the Group 16 team that won the Plate Final at Wyong. He was also selected in the Country Rugby League (CRL) under 16s where he was named man of the match and players player.
He was also a member of the NSW under 16s State of Origin side which played against the Maroons at Queensland. Aitken was named man of the match in a winning performance.
If that wasn’t enough, Aitken won two 2011 Group 16 premierships with the Merimbula Pambula Bulldogs under 16s and under 18s.
In 2010, Aitken was named in the Under 15s Australian Schoolboys Merit Team after representing NSW Combined High Schools at the Australian Rugby League National Schoolboys Championships.
NSW dominated the championships to defeat Queensland B 40-10 in the final. Aitken was one of nine blues players to make the 13-man Australian merit team.
He also signed a three-year contract with the St George Illawarra Dragons in November 2009.
The then 15 year old said in 2010 that he aimed to further develop his skills in a bid to make the Dragons SG Ball team to play in the Under 18s Sydney competition.
His goal was also to make the Australian Under 18s side, which he has now done.
“I want to make the Under 18s rep team and hopefully make the Australian team from there. My ultimate goal is to play State of Origin footy,” Aitken said at the time.
On his return from the Australian tour, Aitken will venture north to set up base for his stint with the Illawarra Dragons, before returning for Christmas, after which he will again head north to continue his career.
“I’m going to pick up a lot of experience on the tour, and I’ll be able to learn from that experience which will leave me in good stead when I head north,” Aitken said.
The 2011 AIS Touring Squad: Francis Molo, Doug Hewitt, Jaden Clarke, Jack Creighton, Rhett Webster, Kodi Nikotima, Brendan Elliott, Ajuma Adams, Hatden Hasson, Thorn Johnson, Joshua Northan, Mawedo Wainga, Dan Clarke, Euan Aitken, Nene McDonald, Brody Rigg, Sam Harold, Brady Williams, Logan Harris, Jarrod Watson, Andrew Saunders, Dylan Cartwright, Corey Jenson, Brandon Lee, Trea Clark and Leki Falepaini.
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