On the back of strong performances for Bond University’s Colts program, Harrison Usher, Alex Miles, Dylan Loader and Tyrone Albertyn have been selected in the Under 19 Queensland Reds squad.
They will play in a new-look national championship which has been revitalised after the pandemic stopped play on the 2020 season.
The new format will see matches played over a five-week period and each club play under the Super Rugby banner of each state.
Colts Captain Harrison Usher was overwhelmed with excitement when he received the news.
“This is my first year in Queensland so to be given the opportunity to represent the state is something super special. I am very proud and very thankful for the opportunity,” Usher said.
“Having a few boys from Bond amongst the team is a very good sign for Bond University. I love playing with these boys, they are all very talented and great guys off the field.”
Usher, who was born in Sydney but made the move to Queensland at the start of the year to study at Bond, admits he still hasn’t converted to an official Queenslander yet.
“Absolutely not. New South Welshman through and through, but I tell you what, there’s nothing I want more than to beat the Waratahs in our first game.”
Another Bull Shark making the side is outside centre Alex Miles, fresh off receiving the Best Back of the Year at Bond’s awards night.
“It’s been a really good week. I feel very honoured and grateful to receive these awards and be given the opportunity to play in the Reds U19s,” Miles said.
Miles was a dominant force at outside centre for the Bull Sharks and has put in plenty of hard work to get the recognition he is now receiving.
“It’s been a massive year, working hard during the pre-season and continually showing up, and having the support at Bond has made it that much easier to do,” he said.
The U19 Queensland Reds kick off their campaign against the NSW Waratahs at Sunnybank Rugby Club on October 9. Every match of the National Championship will be broadcast on Stan Sport.