~knights1~
25-06-2008, 08:15 PM
Toyota cup’s Jack-of-all-trades
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d27/pumba258910/itc/RyanStig.jpg
"THE STIG"
HE MAY be a shy young man off the field, but Knights’ Toyota Cup player Ryan Stig has proved to be not so timid with the football in his hands. The 18-year-old’s versatility on the field has shown an ability to play in a number of positions, ranging from halfback to five-eighth and even in the backline.
Playing as a utility rather than specialising in one set position is something that Stig enjoys and he says he does not really have a preferred position. Sport has always played an important part in Stig’s life, taking up cricket and rugby league at just four-years-old.
“They [Mum and Dad] started me young,” Stig said. But he knew he would sooner or later have to choose to specialise in just one sport in order to achieve his full potential. So Stig stopped playing cricket and focussed solely on rugby league. He realised a future in the sport was already evident at the age of 14.
He believes the years of experience through his lengthy junior career has helped him develop the skills to be selected remier youth competition. His favourite team as a child was the North Sydney Bears, but after their omission from the ARL competition, he turned to supporting the Knights.
“I liked the North Sydney Bears before they got kicked out, but my favourite player was always Joey,” he said. Stig was born and grew up in Macksville, on the North Coast, but now he is proud to call Newcastle home.
After playing for Nambucca Heads, Belmont North and Morpeth as a junior, Stig achieved representative honours as a schoolboy. During 2006 and 2007, Stig played for the New South Wales Combined Independent Schools side.
In 2007 Stig was selected to represent the Australian Schoolboys. They were undefeated during their tour of New Zealand and won the Under 18’s World Championship. Stig’s representative career is an achievement that he says he will not be forgetting in a hurry. “I would say that has been my greatest achievement so far,” Stig said. He proved to be a crucial player in both of the representative sides, scoring tries and kicking goals.
But Stig suffered a setback last year when he had an operation on a knee injury, forcing him to spend valuable time on the sidelines. As far as the future goes Stig admits he has no specific plans, preferring to take one day at a time. But like many promising young footballers, he admits he would like to play in the NRL one day.
“I want to play first grade,” he said. “For now I’ll just see where league takes me and see how things pan out.” Stig may remain modest when it comes to his future, but judging by his career so far, we will be seeing plenty more of this bright young player for years to come.
Inside The Castle - Issue 7 (http://newcastleknights.com/news/itc/itc-08-07.pdf)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d27/pumba258910/itc/RyanStig.jpg
"THE STIG"
HE MAY be a shy young man off the field, but Knights’ Toyota Cup player Ryan Stig has proved to be not so timid with the football in his hands. The 18-year-old’s versatility on the field has shown an ability to play in a number of positions, ranging from halfback to five-eighth and even in the backline.
Playing as a utility rather than specialising in one set position is something that Stig enjoys and he says he does not really have a preferred position. Sport has always played an important part in Stig’s life, taking up cricket and rugby league at just four-years-old.
“They [Mum and Dad] started me young,” Stig said. But he knew he would sooner or later have to choose to specialise in just one sport in order to achieve his full potential. So Stig stopped playing cricket and focussed solely on rugby league. He realised a future in the sport was already evident at the age of 14.
He believes the years of experience through his lengthy junior career has helped him develop the skills to be selected remier youth competition. His favourite team as a child was the North Sydney Bears, but after their omission from the ARL competition, he turned to supporting the Knights.
“I liked the North Sydney Bears before they got kicked out, but my favourite player was always Joey,” he said. Stig was born and grew up in Macksville, on the North Coast, but now he is proud to call Newcastle home.
After playing for Nambucca Heads, Belmont North and Morpeth as a junior, Stig achieved representative honours as a schoolboy. During 2006 and 2007, Stig played for the New South Wales Combined Independent Schools side.
In 2007 Stig was selected to represent the Australian Schoolboys. They were undefeated during their tour of New Zealand and won the Under 18’s World Championship. Stig’s representative career is an achievement that he says he will not be forgetting in a hurry. “I would say that has been my greatest achievement so far,” Stig said. He proved to be a crucial player in both of the representative sides, scoring tries and kicking goals.
But Stig suffered a setback last year when he had an operation on a knee injury, forcing him to spend valuable time on the sidelines. As far as the future goes Stig admits he has no specific plans, preferring to take one day at a time. But like many promising young footballers, he admits he would like to play in the NRL one day.
“I want to play first grade,” he said. “For now I’ll just see where league takes me and see how things pan out.” Stig may remain modest when it comes to his future, but judging by his career so far, we will be seeing plenty more of this bright young player for years to come.
Inside The Castle - Issue 7 (http://newcastleknights.com/news/itc/itc-08-07.pdf)