.jpeg)
Raiven Vong, one of our U17 boys players, has been selected for the 2026 NSW Navy State Team. It is the highest individual honour a player at this club has earned, and it is thoroughly deserved.
State selection is not a popularity contest. Selectors watch a lot of very good players over a lot of hours and take a small number of them. Being one of those from a club our size is a genuinely significant thing.
What it actually took
If you have trained alongside Raiven you will not be surprised. He is the player who is warm before the session starts and still asking for one more rep after it ends. Not every talented junior does that, which is exactly why not every talented junior gets picked.
It is also worth saying plainly: he did the work. Coaches can put the sessions on, but nobody can do the reps for you.
What it means for the club
For the juniors coming through, this matters more than any medal. It means the pathway is real. You can start in a hall in Bossley Park and end up in a state team, and now there is someone in this gym who has actually done it.
Congratulations Raiven, from everyone at the club. We will be watching.