Youngsters on path to top footy

Bayden Brown, Luke Guinane and Hayden Buckman go through their paces at training.

Allan Reinikka Rokacapras

THE Comets/Capras promise of providing a workable pathway for young Central Queensland footballers is already beginning to take shape, and that is without the senior squad officially starting training.

Head coach John Harbin is under no illusion about the task ahead, but he does make one promise.

While the young team might not produce winning results (to start with) they will display the effort.

Harbin was at Voss Park last night overlooking the training sessions being undertaken by the Capras under-16s and 18s.

Club stalwart Steve Parle is coaching the 16s while former Capras second-rower Aaron Earnshaw has the 18s.

"I coached him (Earnshaw) in 97," Harbin recalled.

The coach said Earnshaw was an honest, hard-working footballer and would bring those qualities to his coaching.

"The harder things got the better he liked it," Harbin said.

Already players like Luke Guinane from the under-18s squad have been identified as a potential senior player in 2012.

"He has come through the schools Confraternity Shield and the Capras," he said.

For Harbin the young player not only has skills to play his football in a senior competition, but also the attitude and maturity.

"He is highly regarded not only as a footballer but as a person," he said.

For Guinane the chance to train with the Capras senior team and work with a coach like Harbin is a dream come true.

"He (John Harbin) brings a lot of experience to the Capras," Guinane said.

"The Capras will provide a good stepping stone for the younger players and a chance to gain from the experience of the older ones."

Despite playing at hooker, Guinane reserves his flamboyance for on the field and is very straightforward about where he sees himself in the year to come.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

"It will be a challenge (playing seniors), but I just want to be a part of it."

First Guinane must complete the under-18s program, which has an early start in 2012.

For Harbin the short time he has had as the head coach with the Capras has been most fruitful.

"I have been in contact with a lot of players," Harbin said.

"The response of the local players has been excellent."

The Capras senior squad hold their first official training session next week and Harbin is predicting it will be well attended.

"I'm expecting 40 players to be there," he said.

Before that session the club will announce the 2012 coaching team and Harbin is excited with the quality of staff he will have with him.

"It will be a good group of people I will have around me," he promised.