Ryder Court Scholarship Feature

North Melbourne continues to look to the future, announcing that the club has signed promising young New South Wales teenager Ryder Court under the AFL Scholarship Scheme.

Court lives on the New South Wales north coast and plays for the Northern Storm as well as Coolongatta in Queensland.

The talented young footballer is now the third player the Roos have signed under the scheme this year, after the recent additions of Joel McInerney and Jac Simmonds.

North Melbourne Talent Manager Cameron Joyce is excited by the prospect of seeing Court in the blue and white.

“His beep test results showed that he’s got a huge motor, which is terrific for his size and age,” Joyce said.

“With his height (186cm) and endurance, we think he has the potential to develop into a key position player as either a defender or a forward.” 

Ryder will visit Arden Street in December along with fellow scholarship players McInerney and Simmonds to familiarise themselves with the club and begin their carefully planned integration into AFL football.

“We’ll put together a program for the next 12 months that will hopefully enhance his deficiencies and sharpen up his strengths,” Joyce said.

“While he is a long way off earning a senior position on our list, the NSW Scholarship program will give him every chance to develop as a footballer and learn what is required to play at the highest level.”

Since 2006, the AFL Scholarship Program has provided emerging footballers from NSW with a pathway to the elite level.

James Wilsen, a graduate of the program, was placed on the club’s rookie list in 2008 and made his debut for North Melbourne VFL affiliate Werribee this season.