AROUND 90 teenagers had plenty of open ground to show the Vodafone Warriors development coaches that they are worthy of a contract at Cooks Gardens yesterday.
The first National Youth Competition (NYC) trial held by the club outside Auckland had a few less attendees than anticipated, but all the talent known to the club from the lower North Island was there to press their claims.
After registering what positions they preferred at the start of the morning, the players were split into teams for nine-a-side matches, with the wet weather adding to the challenge.
Football events co-ordinator Jordan Friend, the son of former Kiwi Clayton Friend, said during the second match that they had already earmarked 10 players showing potential, for another session at the end of the day.
Many of this current crop, born between 1996-98, were relatives of players who have gone on to play in the NRL, with surnames like Luke and Taylor being prominent.