Class is in session: St Joseph’s College student Xavier Carmichael (left) and Echuca Primary School student Jackson Butterworth have been picked for School Sport Victoria’s under-12 squad. Photo: Supplied.
Earning selection for your state or interleague football squad is an impressive feat on its own — but Echuca United’s Harper Delamere and Echuca duo Jackson Butterworth and Xavier Carmichael have managed both.
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Students Delamere (Echuca Primary), Butterworth (Echuca Primary), and Carmichael (St Joseph’s College) are among 55 to earn selection in School Sport Victoria’s under-12 squads after successfully navigating a series of trial matches.
The trio will compete against some of the finest primary age footballers when they fly to South Australia in August to compete in the national championships, the first to be held since 2019.
Dashing away: Echuca United’s Harper Delamere (right) has been picked for both School Sports Victoria and Goulburn Murray Junior Football interleague.
Hot on the heels of SSV selection came the announcement of Goulburn Murray Junior League’s four interleague sides, for which the three juniors were also selected in the under-12 squad.
They will compete against Bendigo Junior Football League this Sunday, June 19 out at Strathfieldsaye.
Echuca Junior Football Club president Justin Hatfield said it was a well-earned honour for Murray Bombers Carmichael and Butterworth.
“It’s a great effort by those boys,” Hatfield said.
“We had five make it to the Melbourne trials which is a super effort and a good reflection of the quality kids we have.
“When they held the final trial game, (Jackson) was made captain of one of the teams. Xavier Carmichael has always been a talented young footballer, and now they both get the opportunity to compete at the highest level for their age.”
Echuca juniors Will Hatfield, Marlon Miccalezi, and Charlie Sutton also threw their hat in the ring for school sport selection throughout the trial period.
