State championship honours for Gropers juniors Axel, Ollie and Kade National News Port Stephens Sport Property/Sports/Opinion - popup ad Sport by News Of The Area - Modern Media - November 29, 2024 Top Nelson Bay rugby juniors Ollie Hoffman, Axel Kelman and Kade Lawson helped Hunter Wildfires win the NSW Youth Sevens Under 13s championship. EMERGING Nelson Bay rugby juniors Axel Kelman, Ollie Hoffman and Kade Lawson can reflect on a bumper 2024. Coming across from rugby league, the talented trio enjoyed a wave of success at club and representative level to impress keen judges from both codes. All three helped the newly-formed Gropers Under 13s team force their way into the Hunter Junior Rugby finals series, turning in skilful performances throughout the campaign. Nelson Bay finished runners-up in the minor premiership and were the only club to defeat eventual champions Merewether Green during the season – chalking up a spirited 26-17 victory over the Greens at Tomaree Sports Complex. The Gropers bowed out in the preliminary final after a 24-17 loss to Merewether White. But it was during the representative program that the trio excelled. Promising number eight Kelman lined up and shone for the Hunter Wildfires team that were crowned NSW Country 15s champions before teaming up with forward utility aces Hoffman and Lawson in the Wildfires’ triumphant NSW Youth State Sevens Championship Under 13s squad. The dynamic Kelman led the way as the Wildfires downed a strong Warringah outfit in the championship final at Harry Elliott Oval in Forster-Tuncurry. Rugby league talent scouts also identified the skill and power of Kelman and Lawson with the Newcastle Knights selecting both colts in their Under 13 Development Squad. With summer approaching you’ll find the trio honing their skills with Nelson Bay Juniors in the Hunter Spring Sevens Rugby Under 13s competition. The boys are coached by former leading Eastwood product James Kelman. “All three have loads of potential and are an inspiration to their team mates through their hard work ethic and ability to lift in the pressure moments,” he told the News Of The Area. By Chris KARAS