RUGBY UNION

LOCAL rugby player Tom Clarke has been selected for the under-17 national indigenous team to tour France in July.

After a standout season with the Whitsunday Raiders and a strong showing for the national under-16s indigenous team last year Tom will join with some of the best indigenous players in the country for the two-week trip.

This is a fantastic opportunity for Tom to experience representative rugby playing on an international level.

He has also received a scholarship to the Southport School on the Gold Coast and will start at his new school from June.

The junior Raiders have made a considerable donation to help cover Tom's expenses but further donations are welcome to assist Tom's family in getting him to France.

Anyone wishing to offer assistance in fundraising for Tom should contact Sharron Pratt at info@whitsundayrugby.com.au.

To say thank you to the club Tom has been helping out A Grade coach Hemi Taukiri at the free weekly junior clinics on Sunday at the Whitsunday Sports Park.

Taukiri is teaching and refining the skills of players who attend and the junior Raiders would like to thank him for all his hard work.

This is all free and on a volunteer basis and runs from 10am-12pm.

It's open to all new and old junior players aged from 9-16.

The sessions help you improve as a rugby player and if you want to play representative rugby this is also the time to get that advantage on the other players for selection.