Kurt sets sights high after |Australian side selection

‘It means that my goal of playing in the NRL is no longer just a dream but something that is achievable,’ he said.

‘This keeps me motivated to keep doing what I am doing and stay focussed.

‘Playing for this side means that I get the opportunity to go to Cairns, where I could get selected into the Australian under-18s schoolboys team. Luckily, this year is the World Cup, so if I get selected into the schoolboys side, I will have the opportunity to play internationally.’

The 17-year-old switched to rugby league as a 12-year-old after playing AFL.

He trains four times a week and playing twice a weekend.

He also commutes daily from Cannington to Leederville so he can be a part of the school’s specialist rugby program.

‘Training almost every night and commuting to and from school means I only have a short turnaround time between getting home and going to training. This makes study hard, but I would like to do a sports science degree one day,’ he said.

His commitment to the sport has paid off on field, after also being selected onto the Australian Combined Side last year.

‘This was a real eye-opener for me. I realised that I was a little fish in a bid pond and that I would have to work exceptionally hard to achieve my goal because there are a lot of talented players with the same aspirations and goals,’ he said.

‘To make a career of playing the sport I love and through a successful sporting career I can give back to my family, especially my parents, who have done everything to support me.

‘My main goal is to play in the NRL before I am 21. Playing for Australia would be massive, after all, who does not want the honour of representing their country. But NRL is my goal and anything else is a bonus.’