Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Young Leaguers Make The Grade

Queensland Rugby League announced its Under 18 Emerging Origin squad last week with two Mackay locals’ a part of the squad.

Young lads Baden Robinson and Xavier Kerrisk – both Mackay Brothers Football Club alumni and QCCS Mackay Cutters Junior Representative Players - made the 30-man Emerging Origin Squad through the elite Queensland pathways program.

Xavier Kerrisk is also a North Queensland Toyota Cowboys contracted player.

The two lads joined their teammates to take part in a two-day training camp in Brisbane on May 7-8.

Head of Football at the Mackay Cutters, Kim Williams was overjoyed when the young players received the news.

“This is a fantastic achievement by both players and one that they should be very proud of,” Mr Williams said.

“Their performances throughout the Mal Meninga Cup competition this year were outstanding and they both thoroughly deserve their selection in the Origin squad.

“As a club we are extremely proud of their achievement.”

The Emerging Origin program has lofty ambitions for the young athletes, hoping to develop them into highly skilled rugby league players for Queensland representation.

Head coach of the Emerging Origin Squad Guy Williams managed the 30-member squad throughout their two-day training camp at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) in Brisbane.

The young Mackay lads were ecstatic when they found out they’d be given an opportunity to represent at “the peak of footy” for their age group.

“It was a bit of a shock when I first found out. I felt like I’d played well in the squad but it was still a bit unreal,” Xavier Kerrisk said.

“It was very different from the usual training camps. It was a bit more focused on the little things you do in a game.

“I liked it a lot because it was a different experience. Off the field, it was a lot more trying to understand what it’s like to be maroon. Taking care of yourself and things like that.”

Xavier has been playing the game since Under 6s, and said he was proud to have impressed the coaches enough to be a part of the side.

“From a young age, you have the goal to play origin. It’s the peak of football. The older I’ve been getting, the more I’ve been trying to make it,” Xavier said.

“If I keep doing what they’re saying and impressing them, I can maybe get there.”

The Grade 11 student is making a name for himself in Queensland and hopes he can keep the momentum going alongside his teammate.

“It was good to have a lad alongside me from the Cutters. We’ve been at the same clubs our entire lives; it was good to be not the only one from Mackay,” he said.

“Hopefully we can keep playing good footy and keep making sides like that.”

Young gun Xavier Kerrisk made the Under 18 Emerging Origin Squad in early May

Alongside him is promising star Baden Robinson

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