DIEHARD
05-12-05, 02:19 PM
Chris Sandow sat with his parents Rhonda and Stevie in the shade alongside the Bond University pool yesterday. Their hometown of Cherbourg seemed a long way away.
But the distance from the Gold Coast to the South Burnett Aboriginal community about three hours by car is the very reason the talented young rugby league player has joined the Titans NRL club.
"He is my only child. We want the best for him, but Sydney is such a long way away," said Rhonda Sandow.
"The Bulldogs were very interested in him. I am just very happy he will still be so close to us."
Sandow, 16, described by Titans football manager Scott Sattler as 'a special player, one of those players we had to get' was on the Gold Coast yesterday for the inaugural gathering of the Titans Elite Academy.
Sattler has contracted 27 youngsters for the academy and they had their first outing under the eyes of Titans coach John Cartwright, at Bond University.
Although there is plenty of talent spread through the academy there was no disguising Sattler's admiration for Sandow.
"I think Chris has the ability to play first grade in 2007 (when the Titans debut)," said Sattler.
"I know that is a big call for a kid who is still in his last year of school, but when you watch him play you know he is a player that has got every attribute, including a great attitude.
"There are a lot of judges I have a lot of faith in and they seem to say he is one of those kids that could jump out of the ground first year out of school and taste the top level pretty early.
"I liken him to (2001 Dally M Player of the Year) Preston Campbell. I played first grade with Preston in his first year out of high school for the Gold Coast Chargers."
Source: Gold Coast Bulletin
But the distance from the Gold Coast to the South Burnett Aboriginal community about three hours by car is the very reason the talented young rugby league player has joined the Titans NRL club.
"He is my only child. We want the best for him, but Sydney is such a long way away," said Rhonda Sandow.
"The Bulldogs were very interested in him. I am just very happy he will still be so close to us."
Sandow, 16, described by Titans football manager Scott Sattler as 'a special player, one of those players we had to get' was on the Gold Coast yesterday for the inaugural gathering of the Titans Elite Academy.
Sattler has contracted 27 youngsters for the academy and they had their first outing under the eyes of Titans coach John Cartwright, at Bond University.
Although there is plenty of talent spread through the academy there was no disguising Sattler's admiration for Sandow.
"I think Chris has the ability to play first grade in 2007 (when the Titans debut)," said Sattler.
"I know that is a big call for a kid who is still in his last year of school, but when you watch him play you know he is a player that has got every attribute, including a great attitude.
"There are a lot of judges I have a lot of faith in and they seem to say he is one of those kids that could jump out of the ground first year out of school and taste the top level pretty early.
"I liken him to (2001 Dally M Player of the Year) Preston Campbell. I played first grade with Preston in his first year out of high school for the Gold Coast Chargers."
Source: Gold Coast Bulletin