RV standout looks to play in Australia tournament

Rondout Valley High wide reciever and first-team Freeman football All-Star Spencer Sands is seeking to take part in the Down Under Sports Tournament on the Gold Coast of Australia in June.

Sands is poised to represent New York state in Queensland in the program which features athletes from all over the world participating in football, cross country, golf, track and field, basketball and volleyball.

Sands would depart on June 22 for the 10-day tournament, which features eight teams of 2530 players each, who will also get to sightsee when not playing.

Sands, a senior who also earned Section 9 accolades, proved to be a go-to guy for Ganders’ quarterback Ben Hikade. Sands caught 41 passes for 777 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 19 yards per reception. His speed was a key on special teams where he 10 punt returns for 101 yards and one TD. He also returned 22 kickoffs for 460 yards (20.9 average)

Sands is seeking to raise money

towards the cost of competing in Australia. Donations are being taken online at https://downundersports. com/payment/361B-546254f6 or via phone at (435) 753-4732.

Down Under Sports was founded in 1989 by George O’Scanlon, a native New Zealander who loved football and wanted to promote the sport in both New Zealand and Australia where he lived for many years.