Two junior Mossman Sharks players have been selected into the Northern Pride’s 2012 Under 18s Academy squad.

Josh Sagiba and Patrick Nandy were announced by Northern Pride head coach, David Maiden, to have made next year’s squad after more than 130 local juniors participated in the Northern Pride Academy trials last month.

Players came from all three Far North Queensland junior leagues, as well as from Bamaga and the Torres Strait Islands, to attend the trials at the Mann Street ground.

For Sagiba, the announcement came after an outstanding debut year for the under-18s Sharks, in which he was named best forward at the club’s presentation awards on Sunday at the Daintree Inn.

Sharks president, Keith Pitt, said Sagiba had worked hard all season to represent the Sharks in both the under-18s and the A-grade side.

“At one stage Josh was forced to play front row forward and stepped up to the challenge, running over his larger opponents every time he got the ball,” Pitt said.

“Patrick was also an impact player when he put the boots on for the under-18s team this year.

“Much like Josh, Patrick gave more than what was asked of him, matching his larger opposite numbers in every aspect of the game.

“On behalf of the club, I would like to wish both boys every success for next season and hope they do enough to make the Pride A-Grade squad.”

Last Sunday’s Sharks presentation also saw Joshua Nathan awarded the under-18s best and fairest, while Andrew Sloane was named best back.

The esteemed Player of the Year award went to Ethan Hoffman and Darren Henderson was recipient of the under-18s Memorial Trophy. 

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