Local product Daniel Vasquez has signed a new one-year Development contract which will see him extend his stay at the Sharks into the 2020 season
A local junior who has come through the Sharks Academy and junior rep system before graduating to senior football where he has played the past two seasons for the Newtown Jets, Vasquez will get the chance to further his footballing education as a second-season Development player.
“This year I’ve learnt how to be more professional and with my body type and body shape, I’ve got to get my diet, my training and preparation right,” Vasquez said. “I’ve learnt a lot from the older boys.
“I’m looking forward to working with the boys again, having some fun along the way and hopefully making my NRL at some stage next year.”
It all began for Vasquez, now 22, at the local St Joseph's club, before he moved on to play for the Yarrawarrah Tigers, two Cronulla Sutherland Junior League district clubs.
A strong running front rower, Vasquez’s talents were identified by the Sharks as a 14-year-old and a junior rep career followed.
After two years in the Matthews Cup, Vasquez moved on to play for the Sharks under-18 SG Ball team, where on the end of a successful 2015 season would claim man-of-the-match honours in their Grand Final victory over the Souths.
That same year Vasquez gained selection in the NSW Under 18's Origin side and was a member of the Australian schoolboy’s team, playing alongside then Cronulla teammates Blayke Brailey and Curtis Scott.
From there Vasquez was a member of the Sharks NYC squad which took out the minor premiership in 2017, in a team coached by John Morris, before his introduction to senior football followed at the Newtown Jets
Vasquez has made 31 appearances for the Jets over the past two seasons and has been selected for their sudden-death finals match against Mounties this weekend.
While his 2019 season has been hampered by two cheekbone fractures, Sharks NRL coach John Morris has been keenly tracking Vasquez’s progress and is confident after another season training alongside the NRL boys, he will be in line to step up and make his mark in the NRL in the not-too-distant future.
“It’s great news we have been able to retain another one of our local juniors,” Morris said.
“Daniel has shown great commitment and character progressing through our Elite Pathways from our National Championship winning SG ball team in 2015, to the Holden Cup Minor Premiership team in 2017, to now playing for Newtown in the Canterbury Cup.
“He is a great young man who is very dedicated and coachable.
“I look forward to him continuing his development at the Sharks and to hopefully taking the next step towards playing NRL,” Morris added.
Vasquez joins fellow local junior Jack Williams in recently signing a Development contract for 2020.
Daniel Vasquez
Born – July 21, 1997
Position – Prop
Height – 189cm
Weight – 109kgs
NRL games – Yet to play in the NRL
