Two Liverpool children given golden ticket to see their Origin heroes

They never thought their dreams would come true, but two Liverpool children will now get the chance to see their rugby league heroes up close at the State of Origin decider next Wednesday.

Liverpool children Rory Kendrick-Haskins, 11, and Cecilia Tafili, 10 are the lucky recipients of free tickets to State of Origin III. Picture: Dylan Robinson

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Two lucky children from Liverpool have had their dreams come true, getting up close and personal with their favourite rugby league players ahead of State of Origin III.

Rory Kendrick-Haskins, 11, and Cecilia Tafili, 10, will be cheering on the NSW Blues at the series decider next Wednesday, July 10 at ANZ Stadium, thanks to Liverpool Council.

The youngsters received free tickets to the match after the council put out an appeal to the community to find a local boy and girl who they could send to the much-anticipated third game.

The children are dedicated rugby league players themselves, representing their schools and local clubs. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Rory and Cecilia were chosen because of their dedication to the sport and because they wouldn’t ordinarily have the means to get to the game.

The pair was also given the opportunity to attend a special Blues closed training session at the NSW Rugby League Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday, courtesy of Liverpool-based business Brydens Lawyers, who are sponsors of the Blues jerseys.

Cecilia, who is one of two girls on the All Saints Liverpool Junior Rugby League Football Club’s under-10s mixed team, said she never imagined she’d have the opportunity to be on the sidelines of a live game and training session.

The young Blues fans with NSW players James Tedesco and Tyson Frizell, along with Lee Hagipentelis from Brydens Lawyers and Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller. Picture: Dylan Robinson

“Me and my parents don’t watch a lot of sport, we just play it,” she said.

“I’m very excited because me and my dad always wanted to watch a real football game and just not on TV.”

The experience is something she’ll treasure, she said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing their techniques and how they train because I can remember them and go back to my training and tell all my peers and we can get better as a team.”

Like Cecilia, Rory can often be found helping with game preparations when he’s not playing.

The 11-year-old lives in Green Valley and plays for his school and Hinchinbrook Hornets Junior Rugby League Football Club.

Next Wednesday’s game will also be his first live match.

Rory’s idol is South Sydney Rabbitohs player Damien Cook.

Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller said she was proud of the council’s initiative, which had given “two really deserving kids” the opportunity to see their heroes up close.

“Rugby league can be an inspiration and a source of hope to our community, particularly in pockets of social disadvantage,” she said.

“I’d also like to thank Brydens for organising for the children to attend the special Blues training session. Brydens is one of two Liverpool organisations on the Blues jersey with Aboriginal community support group Kari Foundation.”