Junior Sports Star nominee Shawn Blore makes State-of-Origin debut

On Wednesday, June 1, Shawn Blore will play rugby league in front of a crowd of thousands.

Singing the Blues: Shawn Blore.

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On Wednesday, June 1, Shawn Blore will play rugby league in front of a crowd of thousands.

It’s a dream come true for the Hills Sports High School student, who has been selected in the under-16s NSW team for the 2016 State of Origin series.

“This game will be the curtain-raiser to the A-grade team — the big boys — so I’m pretty excited,” he said.

“I’ve never had anything like this before.”

The 16-year-old credits his love for, and success in, rugby league to his dad Kevin, who is always motivating Shawn and older brother Dean to be their best.

“Dad got me into the game. He’s been a Roosters supporter since about three years old,” he said.

“He’s really good like that, always motivating us (Shawn and older brother Dean, who also plays league) to be better. He used to play for the Hebersham Tigers and he reckons he was going to be big but went down the wrong path.

Shawn Blore hopes his Origin debut is the start of a stellar rugby league career.

“He let’s us know what is right and wrong, and he’d be nearly 100 per cent of the reason I would crack A-grade.”

The teenager, who plays second-row lock, also gives credit to his Seven Hills school’s league program.

“The coaching staff are really good, they only want wants best for you,” he said.

“(Coach) Scott Jones is always pushing us, always making sure the boys play at their best and I can see the improvement just by watching.”

The social aspect of footy is also a motivator.

“The group is really close and that’s probably why we have so much success,” Blore said. “I don’t think any other school is as tight as us. At recess and lunch we’re always together and we always want to play for each other on the field.”

Like many sporty teenagers, Blore wants to play football professionally. It’s a career he aspires to out of passion for the game. He’s also attracted to the security a career with the big boys would bring his family.

For now, though, he will focus his efforts on State of Origin.

“I’ve got to work on my stepping at the line, my agility, because with me it’s just run hard and run fast,” he said. “I probably have to work on my passing, too.”

Talented and humble? Surely a winning mix.

Blore is a Junior Sports Star nominee. The awards are sponsored by Rebel. Nominate an athlete at juniorsportsstar.com.au