Sydney Roosters’ James Tedesco: From Kobe Bryant to Harry Potter: Secrets of Teddy’s success

It’s balance that has always brought a quiet confidence to the life of NRL superstar James Tedesco and still does.

James Tedesco of the Roosters heads in to score a try during the 2019 NRL Grand Final between the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Sunday, October 6, 2019. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Rookie author James Tedesco credits his love of reading for playing a vital role in his rise to rugby league superstardom.

Widely acknowledged as the best player in the NRL, Tedesco loved playing football as a kid. He also loved reading books. They were two interests that helped bring balance and a quiet confidence to his life and still do.

The 28-year-old has penned a new kids book Hat-trick Teddy, starring himself, to help encourage children to read and to follow their dreams.

James Tedesco in action for the Roosters this season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The champion Sydney Roosters, NSW and Australia fullback grew up reading the likes of Captain Underpants, Goosebumps and Harry Potter.

His keen interests in books, evolved into an in-depth exploration of the words and deeds of elite athletes such as Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady and Tigers Woods through their autobiographies and other writings. It helped Tedesco to learn and understand what it takes mentally and physically to get to the top of a chosen sport and stay there.

“As a kid I enjoyed playing games but I also enjoyed reading and I would get really locked into a story and dream about it,” Tedesco said.

Tedesco with members of the Clovelly Crocodiles U10 Red team and his new book Hat-trick Teddy. Picture: John Appleyard

“These days with all the technology available it can be hard to try and encourage kids to read. “Some don’t have the passion for it like I did. But if it’s a story they can relate to that can really help. The storylines in my book talk about working hard and chasing your dreams. “Themes that are important for all of us.”

Hat-trick Teddy also speaks to the importance of preparation, both mental and physical including visualisation. Tedesco wrote a note to himself about how he would play for the Roosters as a professional player and how commentators would scream his name as he scored the matchwinning try. He realised those dreams when scoring the premiership winning try in the 2019 grand final win over Canberra.

The words and deeds of the late Kobe Bryant have helped Teddy reach the top of the NRL. Picture: AFP

“I always wanted to play football for the Sydney Roosters, to play professionally, but as a young kid I never made any of the rep teams,” he said.

“I had to wait until I was 16 and 17. I struggled to get noticed. There were a lot of ups and downs and that can be very hard when you are 12 years old. But it taught me a lot and that’s what the book is all about.”

Two-time Roosters NRL premiership winner Tedesco also talks about the self esteem and self awareness that can come from reading and from ‘having a go’.

Tedesco scores the matchwinning try in the 2019 NRL grand final. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Sometimes life (as a child) can be daunting but the book is definitely about having a go. It’s an interesting story. I don’t think there was anything like this when I was growing up,” he said.

“I hope it appeals to kids who perhaps don’t like reading in general but like football and it can draw them in.

“I’ve spoken to a few of my Roosters teammates and their kids about the book and they’re interested in it because it’s about me. You always see kids on iPads, and compared to all the video games you can play reading might not be as popular as it once was.

Hat-trick Teddy by James Tedesco. Published by Pan Macmillan.

“But the benefits of it are of course very important, in helping children.

“If the book sparks interest for kids in reading and keeps them entertained then it’s done its job.”

James Tedesco’s Hat-trick Teddy is out now through Macmillan.