Big V representative Reece Piper with the AFL under-12championship trophy and his championship medallion.By Gavin Staindl
NARRE WARREN youngster Reece Piper has returned from the national under-12 schoolboy football championships in Perth with a championship medallion in one hand and numerous best-on-ground awards in the other.
The Fountain Gate junior led Victoria to an undefeated week of football, that included finishing best on ground in the Big V’s 19-point win over South Australia in the grand final.
The Joel Selwood award, given to the five best on ground each game, came Reece’s way twice during the six-game tournament and the 11-year-old can now claim to have played in the same team that Jack Watts, Tom Scully, Jack Ziebell and Steele Sidebottom represented in 2003.
After being selected in the all-conquering team last month, Reece dazzled his coaches with his speed and flair in the midfield as well as precise skill work.
Reece’s parents, Steve and Theresa, praised the improvement their son showed over the week and were grateful for the time and effort put in by the Fountain Gate Junior Football Club that allowed Reece to make the trip west.
