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FORMER Port Macquarie
Sharks player Matt Shipway has been granted selection in the Country firsts
side to tour South Africa.
Shipway steered the Sharks to grand final
victory as captain in 2006.
Two years later the backrower found himself in Newcastle.
His move didn’t start to well with the team he
initially signed with, the Central
Coast’s Entrance, folded
before he played a single game.
In 2008 he was picked up by the Macquarie
Scorpians where he played two years.
Following that Shipway made the move to South Newcastle where he has played since.
He even signed on as captain coach for a couple
of seasons.
But Shipway credits his selection in the
representative team to his decision to give up the coaching role and
concentrate on his game this year.
“I think I still played pretty good footy as the
captain coach,” he said.
“But the move allowed me to concentrate more on
my game and the biggest thing was not having to worry about anyone else.
“As the captain coach I’d have to turn up and
watch the first two games and talk to the other coaches then go in the sheds
and try and get everyone else ready for the game as well.”
The Country team will take on the South African
National team – The Rhinos – as well as an academy side and the 28-year-old
Shipway is excited at the strength of his squad.
“It looks to be a very strong team,” he said. “I’m excited to be a part of it. There’s a few
ex-NRL players in there.
“When there’s that quality of players in the
team it helps you play better footy too.”
Shipway will head to Sydney on Friday where he will join a
three-day camp before heading overseas.
The Country team will play the Rhinos on October
18.
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Article source: http://www.portnews.com.au/story/1812697/matt-shipways-footy-safari/?cs=257