Alton and Hampshire U16 player Joe Gwyther has been selected to play in the London SE Divisional trial on Sunday 8th January at St. Alban's. The very best players from the eight home counties are brought together in order to assemble the squad which will play other English divisions, Midlands and the North, in February 2012. After the preliminary trial on 08 January, further trials are run over 21/22 January and a final trial will be held on 29 January.

Divisional assessors have been present at Hampshire U16 matches this season in order to identify the strongest and most promising talents. Divisional selection would be a major step on the ladder towards success in rugby, indeed selection for the trial shows that Joe is amongst the cream of U16 players in the eight county set ups which form the London & South East region.

Everyone at Alton RFC wishes Joe all the very best in the trials, congratulations go to Joe, proud Dad Dave and all the family. Joe has also learned that he has secured a coveted place in London Irish's AASE programme (Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence) where he will study A Levels and an NVQ Level 3 in Sporting Excellence (equivalent to 2 A Levels in UCAS points for university) through an intensive 22 hours per week of rugby training. Joe has played at Alton with his current age group since U9 and has been promoted to the London Irish Gold group for the remainder of this season.

U16 Head Coach David Bugler says of Joe "Talent is never enough, you have to work hard at your game to get the rewards which Joe is just beginning to reap. Joe has played at County level at U14, U15 and U16 and has never lost his enthusiasm for the game and for playing with his mates at school and the club. He's a well-grounded individual and it has been a great pleasure to see him mature as a player and as a person since he joined us at nine years old. Everyone at the club wishes him every success at the Division and with London Irish. We're so proud of what he's achieved and for what he's brought back to the club."

More about the AASE programme here.