The burgeoning footballing career of Parkes Spacemen backrower Billy Burns has taken another step towards the NRL.
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The impressive junior celebrated signing a deal with Penrith Panthers that will take him through to the end of the 2018 season by selection in the NSW Under 18s Country side.
Burns has enjoyed a successful junior career and will work closely with the Panthers in preparation of his senior career when he joins the club in September.
Having represented NSW Country 16s in 2014, Billy acquitted himself well at the Country Championships in Muswellbrook, matching up well against the best 18 year olds in regional NSW.
Although the Western Rams did not make the final, Billy had already done enough to gain selection in the Country side and will join his team mates on a tour of New Zealand flying out on Saturday.
The week-long tour will include matches against New Zealand side Otahuhu Leopards and a visit to Mt Smart Stadium, the home of the Auckland Warriors NRL side.
What makes Billy’s selection all the more impressive is he does not turn 17 until November!
While he is very excited to be touring, Billy is very happy to have signed with the Panthers.
"It's exciting to have my future sorted out and I look forward to heading down later in the year and getting acclimatised to the new surroundings before preseason,” Billy said.
“I know the pre-season will be the hardest of my life, but it is what I have to do if I want to achieve my goals,” he said.
Billy's father Scott said Penrith had made the decision to join them an easy one.
"From the outset the Panthers have been clear with their vision for Bill, and they have been very accommodating in sourcing the correct schooling, living arrangements and outlining the support network that will be in place for him when he relocates later in the year,” Scott said.
“Until then, he will continue to play locally and continue to work hard for the Spacemen,” he said.
Penrith recruitment manager Jim Jones was full of praise for Billy.
"We have been watching Billy for a while now and with our hook up with the Western Academy of NSW it seemed a natural fit to take on a player of Billy’s abilities,” Jones said.
“We look forward to getting him in and settled and then the hard work beginning."