Gridiron’s rising stars hit Coast

ALMOST 100 of Australia’s top junior gridiron prospects arrive on the Gold Coast today for the start of Junior Outback training camp ahead of the under-19 World Cup.

Just 45 of those players will earn a seat on the plane to Canton, Ohio, for the annual tournament.

The World Cup will involve the best up-and-coming talent from the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan and others.

Chances to impress coaches and win the trip of a lifetime are limited during the five-day training camp at Tallebudgera Creek, raising the stakes for the young athletes.

One-tenth of the national squad play their football for the hometown Gold Coast Stingrays which should serve as some advantage despite moving in to dormitories for the duration of camp.

Australia coach John Roe said the opportunity to dedicate an entire week to learning the subtleties of American football was a valuable experience to take advantage of.

“I’m looking at the big picture,” Roe said. “At a camp of 90-plus I’ve got to pick 45 guys and 45 guys won’t make it.

“The 45 who don’t still learn so much in a week of camp they’d never have learned otherwise. They might have a good camp, not get selected, but they can now go and play professionally in Germany or Japan.

“The guys who do make it will play on the world stage.”

Australia will enter the eight-team World Cup as underdogs but Roe says experience is the only thing stopping the Outback under-19s from challenging top teams.