A goalkeeper who took up soccer last season and a natural born leader headline the Border Raiders representatives in the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League’s under-16 squad.
Moama-Echuca’s Blade Bawden and Charlie Mundie have been picked in the junior representative program, targeting places in the starting XI for tournaments later in 2023.
Bawden’s rise to representative soccer is impressive after picking up the sport in season 2022, displaying a natural ability with the gloves according to last year’s under-16 coach Darryl Brown.
“His enthusiasm is incredible, he was usually the first one at training,” Brown said.
“When someone did turn up, he would ask them to keep kicking balls at him.
“Some of the saves he pulled off were unbelievable. It’s a difficult position but he was willing to take it on.”
Mundie captained the under-16 Border Raiders last season, and the defender’s selection is no surprise to Brown.
“Charlie is a natural born leader who thoroughly deserves his spot,” he said.
“He leads from the backline and he’s great at directing players.”
Mundie and Bawden will have the opportunity to compete for BASL at the Boys & Girls FC carnival in Bendigo in March.
But the prized fixture for representative soccer is the Country Championships in Ballarat, where regional soccer leagues from across the state will compete.
The tournament is held from June 10 to 12, with further announcements on BASL representative sides expected in the coming weeks.