PORT Macquarie Magpies junior Oto Ryan has mixed it with Australia’s best youth AFL stars.
The 2025 School Sport Australian (SSA) 15 Years and Under Australian Football Championships kicked off in Moreton Bay, Queensland from 26 July 26 to 2 August, featuring the best junior players from across the nation.
Representing NSW, Oto secured his spot in the state side after a stellar performance at the NSW All Schools Australian Championships in Albury in June.
“I was really excited when I was named in the NSW team,” said Oto.
“At the end of the NSW All Schools Championships they ask all the players to meet in front of the grandstand so they can announce the winner of the competition as well as the NSW team.
“I thought I had a little bit of a chance but when they started to read through the list of players I started to worry.
“My name was one of the last ones to be called out, but I was very happy.”
The national-level tournament welcomed over 500 players and officials, with representatives from every state and territory in Australia, except for the Northern Territory.
NSW finished the tournament with three wins from five games.
Oto’s deadly boot kicked a total of five goals and three behinds, leaving him in equal 15th position on the point scorer leaderboard for the tournament.
The consistent efforts of the pacy playmaker also earned him the honour of being named as “Players’ Players” during the Blues’ clash with Tasmania.
Reflecting on the Championships, Oto expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent NSW.
“The tournament was a fantastic experience,” Oto stated.
“Apart from representing NSW it was great to be able to play alongside teammates that I already knew and are friends with.
“The competition was a step up, especially our first game against Victoria, which we knew would be tough.
“But to play against them was a great opportunity and it gave me a chance to see how good they are… there is a big difference.”
By Kim AMBROSE
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