Hayne train
BYRON Lennox junior rugby league players came face to face with a footballing superstar at their Tuesday night traing session in Byron Bay.
Byron Shire
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GOLD Coast Titans and NSW State of Origin rugby league star Jarryd Hayne made a surprise visit to Byron Bay Lennox Head Juniors' training at Byron Bay.
The local club enjoys support from the Titans and Hayne spent time with each of the young teams, sharing training tips and stories from his early playing days in western Sydney.
Hayne met with Byron Lennox Under-13 player Kayne Curran, who has been nominated as the club's Aquis Titans Sportsperson of the Year.
The award goes to the player who gives their all at training and games, and who is a good role model for other players.
Kayne is in the running for a trip for two to the NRL grand final and if he wins the club will also receive $2500.
Hayne also fielded questions from the players, parents and coaches with many of the youngsters dumbstruck at coming face-to-face with the football star.
He was keen to emphasise the importance of his early training experiences, urging the youngsters to make the most of their time at training.
"I was always first at footy training and practised all the time,” he said.
"That's where I learned all my basic skills; later on, when I was playing professionally, that's when I honed those skills.”
Focus was also on the NSW Blues' Origin win last week.
"I think we even took ourselves by surprise on the night with the win over Queensland,” he said.
"They are going to come back much more determined in the second game.”
Hayne said he was more focused on this weekend's game against the New Zealand Warriors, where he has been named as fullback for the Titans.
"You never know what you are going to get when you play the Warriors; they can be very unpredictable,” he said.
The winner of the Titans' Community Awards will be announced in August.