Chichester pair get GB Aussie rules call-up

Mike Kelly and Sam Jones were called up to the Great Britain squad who beat Ireland 64-45.

Another Chichester student, George Llewellyn, was also selected but could not make the match, with his place taken by fellow Chichester student Matthew Grace.

Things didn’t go to plan for Kelly as he was injured at the end of the first half. He sustained a broken collarbone, concussion and a split lip which required hospital treatment. He is confident of being selected for international duty again once he has recovered from his injuries in six to eight weeks.

Kelly and Jones are both final-year students – Kelly is studying sport and fitness management while Jones is studying sport and exercise science – so it will be their final year with the University side.

Chichester is one of the few universities in the south with a competitive Australian rules squad. Jones is the current president and Kelly is team captain.

Both feature on the same team outside of university - Kelly is player/manager of Portsmouth Pirates, where Jones also plays.

On the international scene, they are more used to lining up against each other - Jones for Wales and Kelly for England. Both featured for their respective countries in the tri-nation tournament and European Cup at the end of 2011, bringing them to the attention of the GB coaches.