Year 9 Port Macquarie High School student, Connor Cheeseman, has been selected to play in the State Under 15 rugby league team.
Connor was selected about three weeks ago from his performances in games he played at Toronto near Newcastle.
“It was a long process,” he said. “It started eight weeks ago when I represented the Lower North Coast. We played against the Southern Zone team. Then I went to Grafton to trial for the North Coast rugby league team but had to pull out due to a dislocated shoulder.”
Connor said it took about six weeks to recover and he is still recovering now.
He was called back to the NSW President’s Team which is made up of a group of players from around NSW who were injured, suspended or just missed out on selection.
“I guess I must have impressed. We played two games and a third was rained out,” Connor said.
These games were played at Toronto against Sydney Gold, a Western Sydney team, and against Western NSW.
“I was selected for the NSW team as a result of my performances. I got a run on second row.”
The State team will now play in Perth in about two weeks against the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC). Connor said they will also play against the best in Queensland and he is looking forward to that more than anything.
“It will be like an Under 15 State of Origin as we will be wearing blue similar to the State of Origin team and the Queensland will be wearing maroon,” Connor added.
The best players from the carnival in Perth will be selected for the Australian Merit Team which is basically a recognition of the best of the best. Connor admitted, “It would be unreal to make that team.”
