A new chapter is unfolding for Cooper Williams, a talented young footballer from Canowindra whose dedication, skill, and character have already marked him as a player to watch.
Recently, Williams received the exciting news that he has been selected for the Waratahs Under-16s side, following his performance in the Under-15s last year.
For Williams and his family, the selection represents both a milestone and a stepping stone.
Williams recalled the moment he found out, describing the pride and excitement it brought to his household.
“I was very excited,” Williams said.
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“It’s big news for me and my family,” he said.
He admitted that he even held onto the news for a short while before sharing it, wanting to savour the moment before letting everyone know.
Looking back on his development from the Under-15s squad to now, Williams credited both physical and mental growth as major factors in his progress.
“A lot of it’s size and physicality,” he said.
“I’d like to go through the same process next year too and keep building.”
That steady progression has been a defining feature of his young career, with each year presenting new challenges that he has embraced.
Despite his own schedule, Williams makes time to give back to his community.
He regularly assists with junior training in Canowindra, an experience he considers deeply meaningful.
“I feel like, being in that situation a few years back, I would have loved to see someone who made New South Wales come help us out,” Williams said.
“I would have looked up to them a lot.”
“So I feel like it’s a good thing to give back,” he said.
The life of a young athlete isn’t without its challenges.
For Williams, balancing school commitments with the demands of representative rugby involves sacrifices and planning.
“It gets pretty tough with travel, and I will have to miss out on a fair bit of school,” Williams said.
“We’ve gone through some dates, and we should make it pretty well, pretty easily,” he said.
While he finds it hard to pinpoint a single role model in rugby, Williams is clear about his future ambitions.
“In the next few years, I’d love to be invited back down to monetise further on, but the goal at the end of this year is to be selected in the Australian Under-16 side,” he said.
“At the moment, the focus is on getting ready for the Super Rugby Tournament.”
Round 1 will be played at Viking Park in ACT on 27 September, 2025, where Williams and the Waratahs will face off against the Brumbies.
