Sunshine Coast juniors meet Brisbane Broncos Adam Reynolds and Selwyn Cobbo

Budding rugby league players were starstruck on Wednesday when a couple of their heroes popped in to say g’day during their pre-season camp.

Adam Reynolds, Selwyn Cobbo and Callum Ah Chee with junior rugby league players Alexander Mawhinney 9, Jack McKennariey 6, and Hayden Mawhinney 6, at Twin Waters for the launch of the latest round of the $150 FairPlay vouchers to help families pay for junior sport. Picture Lachie Millard

Budding rugby league players were starstruck on Wednesday when a couple of their heroes popped in to say g’day during their pre-season camp.

Brisbane Broncos captain Adam Reynolds and Selwyn Cobbo kicked the footy around at Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast with juniors Alexander Mawhinney, Hayden Mawhinney and Jack McKennariey.

Alexander said it was great to meet his idols.

“It was pretty cool to meet Adam Reynolds and Selwyn Cobbo. They were pretty big and it was cool talking with them,” Alexander said.

“I love rugby league, I like tackling and running.

“I want to play in the NRL when I’m older.”

Adam Reynolds talks to media at Twin Waters on Wednesday. Picture Lachie Millard

Reynolds said it was a great privilege to serve as a role model for the next generation of stars.

“I think it’s extremely important, I was a young kid once who had idols and wanted to be like them,” he said.

“I think it’s great the access these kids have now to their heroes these days.”

The meet and greet with the footy stars was part of the state government’s FairPlay program, which aims to help families with the cost of children’s sports.

Sport Minister Michael Healy at Twin Waters on Wednesday. Picture Lachie Millard

Sports Minister Michael Healy said since the initiative began in 2019, the FairPlay program has seen more than 182,000 vouchers redeemed by eligible families.

“FairPlay is helping thousands of kids play sport and be more active,” he said.

“We’ll continue to assist our families, clubs and organisations, to help more young Queenslanders be more active, more often.”

In the hours following the launch on Wednesday, more than 4500 applications had already been lodged for vouchers for the current round of the program.