Navi Singh felt tremendous pride co-captaining the Western Region Football League under-13B side to interleague victories last month.
Singh, a junior from Wyndham Suns, combined with up-and-coming Werribee Centrals youngster Brock Spiteri to lead the WRFL’s most successful junior representative side this year.
“It was a great feeling when the coaches told me I’d be a co-captain,” Singh told Star Weekly.
“All the hard work I’ve put in over the past couple of years just paid off.”
Singh and his teammates understood what it meant to beat neighbouring leagues. And they even did it on rival Essendon District Football League turf at Airport West’s Hansen Reserve.
“Yeah, it was good to go out and beat them,” he said. “Especially with the EDFL, the coach was telling us about the long rivalry we have with them.”
Singh lauded the camaraderie between his teammates. The WRFL squad came together only six weeks before interleague, but they clicked instantly.
“At the start, it was quite hard because we hadn’t played a game together,” Singh said. “But we got there in the end.
“We’re really close now, we’re all good mates.
“When we do play each other in local footy, it will be nice to catch up with them.”
Singh has used the experience as a learning curve to better himself as a footballer.
Usually a midfielder, the Truganina resident was played over different areas of the ground as part of the development strand of the competition.
He also received quality coaching and was able to test his skills against the best players from around the region.
“The interleague wants to promote every player to be able to play everywhere,” Singh said.
“By the end of the day, everyone had played mid, everyone had played forward and everyone had played back.
“It was all just a talent showcase.
“You really get to know where you stand in your age level compared to everyone else.”
Singh’s selection in the WRFL team is a big deal for the Wyndham Suns.
The Suns have only been in the junior section for three seasons, and would be encouraged to see their players recognised for representative duty.
“We’re definitely growing,” Singh said.
“The spirit at the club is just amazing.
“We’re all tight-knit, and the seniors get around the juniors as well.”
