Geurtjens given chance to do Welsh parents proud

Coventry Bears forward James Geurtjens has been given the chance to do his family proud, having been called up to John Kear’s Wales squad for the forthcoming European Championship.

The 29-year-old Australian-born player’s roots run deep in North Wales.

“My mother, father and three siblings are all from Holyhead in North Wales,” he explained.

“They moved to Australia and I was born a few years later.

“My father passed away not long after I was born and was a very proud Welshman, so making the Welsh squad  is quite a big deal for me and my family.”

Geurtjens was at Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup in Australia before moving to Coventry this season.

Wearing the red shirt at international level would be a great way for him to end the season personally.

“It’s been an exciting first season over here and it’s amazing to be ending it by being in the Wales squad,” he added.

“I’m now very excited to get stuck into training with a great bunch of blokes.

“From what I’ve experienced so far in camp, everyone’s attitude is awesome and training under coach John Kear has been of a very high quality.”