Young rugby league star Rhys McAdam takes on the best in the country

HASSALL Grove’s Rhys McAdam gave up swimming and taekwondo to focus on rugby league, and the decision has paid off.

Rhys Mcadam of Hassall Grovehas just got back from competiting in a national junior rugby league competition.

HASSALL Grove’s Rhys McAdam gave up swimming and taekwondo to focus on rugby league, and the decision has paid off.

Last week the 12-year-old represented NSW at the national PSSA titles in Canberra.

Rhys played with the Sydney West representative side which was undefeated all year.

Despite his obvious talent, mother Elizabeth McAdam nominated Rhys for the Young Sporting Spirit award because of his dedication and strong leadership skills.

Rhys McAdam is this weeks Junior Sports Star nominee.

“Rhys is so supportive to all of his peers, he has great leadership skills and his teachers say he should be a motivational speaker,” Mrs McAdam said. “He’s the type of kid that convinces everyone to just try and have a go — I am very proud of him.”

Mrs McAdam said her son, above all, was dedicated to the game.

“When Rhys first began playing rugby league he would spend hours googling NRL players and studying their way of play,” she said.

Rhys hopes to one day play in the NRL.

“After every game he plays, he will ask how he played and would analyse his game — he is very committed and dedicated.”

Training up to five days a week, Rhys saidhe hoped to make it to the big leagues some day.

“I want to play for either the Panthers or the Bulldogs — it will be hard work but I enjoy it,” he said.

Newslocal’s Young Sporting Spirit award is sponsored by Simmonds Homes.

Nominations: juniorsportsstar.com.au