Queensland teenage prodigy Jack Bowes has made a lot more sacrifice than most other draftees whose dreams turned into reality at Friday night’s National Draft at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion.
After playing a year of senior football in Cairns, Bowes relocated to the Gold Coast from Cairns at the start of 2015 as a 16-year-old, leaving friends and family behind in Tropical North Queensland in order to develop himself as a footballer and as a person.
“(At the) under 16s national carnival Dom (Ambrogio) and Scott (Clayton) and that, the List Managers, sat down with my family and they offered me the chance to relocate down to the Gold Coast,” Bowes told SUNS TV on Friday.
“It wasn’t an easy decision at first but I’m so glad I made it and come through the other side well.
“It was challenging along the way but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
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Signed by the SUNS Academy as a 13-year-old, Bowes was able to increase his time learning from Academy Manager Jason Torney and Academy Head Coach Andrew Raines as a result of the shift.
“It’s been a massive influence on my career so far,” Bowes said.
“Jason Torney and ‘Rainesy’ have been awesome for me on and off the field. They coach through the way they teach and I can’t thank them enough for their time and all their support that they’ve given to me.”
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Along with learning from the Academy staff, the silky midfielder has also been able to build relationships with the SUNS playing group, training with them at Metricon Stadium and representing the club at NEAFL level.
Represented by Connors Sports Management, Bowes has spent time with fellow Connors clients Tom Lynch and Mitch Hallahan and pick their brains about life at the top level.
“Through my management as well I’ve had the chance to meet Tommy Lynch and Mitchy Hallahan so they’ve been awesome,” Bowes said.
“They were probably the first blokes I met at the club and then you’ve got the likes of Tommy Nicholls and all the first year players in Brayden Fiorini and Darce (Macpherson), ‘Joycey’ leading the way through the Academy there so they’ve all been awesome.
“I’ve got to build some relationships with them so far and keen to continue on that.”
Pick 10
Jack Bowes
Height: 187cm
Weight: 78kg
Junior Club: Cairns
