Sport
17 November, 2024
Training with so much Pride
With their mind on the 2025 premiership, Northern Pride has held their first training session and introduced its new signings on Monday.
There’s no rest for the wicked and so is the case for the winners of the minor premiership Northern Pride who are feeling unsatisfied and hungry for the 2025 premiership.
The team gathered for its first training session under new coach Russ Aitken on Monday and tested the synergy of the new and returning players as they begin preparing for the next season.
“We’ve had a gym session this morning (Monday) and we’re into the first field session, a lot of the new boys will connect as a group for the first time,” said coach Russ Aitken.
“We want to make sure we connect as a group first, we’ll definitely work hard and we’ll compete hard so we can build a base off the back of their fundamental skills with the main goal of connecting as a team.
“A lot of the signings have been done and I’m happy with where the squad is and now we get to put that to the test on the field, everyone starts with a clean slate.”
New signing and back-rower Jack Boyling, comes from Sydney and played for the north Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup.
Boyling, who had previously worked with coach Aitken, said he was looking forward to his first season with Pride.
“I’m really excited to join the Pride, I’ve been down in Sydney working on my footy up until now and I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” Mr Boyling said.
“Russ said come up, work hard, work for a spot and an opportunity will arise and I previously worked with Russ back home so I’m looking forward to it.
“I think hard work is one of my strengths, so I’ll try to bring that and work on the little things of my game and hopefully come out as a better player.”
One of the re-signs for the Pride, fullback Seamus King-Smith says the team is hungrier than ever and that he’s eager to put in the work.
“I’m really keen to be back,” he said.
“There’s a lot of new faces and a few boys returning so I’m keen to see how everyone gels, especially with the new coach.
“Russ has been a great bloke. He wants to have a really close squad and make sure everyone gets along first and work hard this pre-season.
“I think last season’s result puts a fire in our bellies, it hurts but we’re also hungrier.
“My goal is to play consistently in the team.”
Northern Pride re-signs:
Seamus King-Smith
Denzel King
Feao Tongia
Nick Lui-Toso
Samuel Cramp
Daniel Woodhouse
Taniela Ta’ufo’ou
Paea Pua
Dane Aukafolau
James Frazer.
New signings:
Jack Boyling from Sydney Bears
Esom Ioka from Clydesdales
Ricco Falaniko from Brisbane Tigers
Adrian Trevilyan from NSW Cup Raiders originally from FNQ
Deontae Perese from Melbourne Storm NSWRL Jersey Flegg squad
Jarrett Subloo from South Sydney originally from Innisfail.
