Why Indigenous All Stars flyer Bevan French can be an inspiration

PRESTON Campbell says Bevan French can be an inspirational figure for his hometown of Tingha and Indigenous youths across the country.

Parramatta Eels and Indigenous All Stars player Bevan French with fellow Tingha rugby league prodigy Preston Campbell in Newcastle. Pictures: Grant Trouville NRL Photographs

BEVAN French is this week’s easy story, right?

Indigenous All Stars rookie.

Cousin of event founder Preston Campbell, too.

Hell, even his tiny hometown of Tingha is pushing to be crowned the greatest rugby league nursery in Australia — with French’s rise following that of relatives Owen Craigie, Nathan Blacklock, Peter Ellis and Campbell.

And yet this yarn, there is nothing easy about it.

Just ask his big cousin.

“Growing up in Tingha, I was blinded to the issues,’’ says Campbell, the 2001 Dally M medallist whose All Stars concept is now entering its seventh year.

“We were just young kids oblivious to the problems around us

French will make his rep debut in the game Campbell helped intiate.

“But these days when I go back home, I can see it. Understand.

“You realise the issues facing young people in Tingha are the same as those in Cherbourg, Yarrabah, Redfern. And, yeah, they need to be understood. Can’t be forgotten.

“But still, it’s the positives emerging from within all that stuff ... that’s what the All Stars shines a light.”

Like French.

The young Eel who is now the fifth Tingha cousin to play NRL.

His representative debut coming Friday night both because of, and in spite of, a bush town boasting less than 900 residents.

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For six years ago, standing outside a new Tingha youth centre partially funded from his own pocket, Campbell told the crowd: “Alcohol is tearing this town apart.

“You need to get rid of the alcohol, the drugs ... you need to change otherwise we all get stuck”.

Back then, French was 15.

Today, the town’s new poster boy.

“And the All Stars is about celebrating that,’’ Campbell says. “I know there are still negatives surrounding indigenous Australia.

“But there are also so many areas like rugby league, where our representation isn’t just extremely high but extremely positive.

“Bevan, for example, is a talented kid. But more importantly, he’s dedicated, respectful, genuine.

“His ability may have got him to the NRL, but it’s all the other stuff that will keep him here.”

French has emerged as one of the young stars in the NRL.

Arriving at the 2016 Auckland Nines, French will this season move from wing into the Eels No. 1 jersey.

And all at a billed weight of 83kg.

“Actually I’m up to 85 now,’’ French says, smiling. “Building slowly.

“Speed’s my biggest asset so I don’t want to get too big, too quick and not carry it.”

And as for becoming an NRL fullback?

“My dream since a little kid,’’ he adds. “I can’t wait.”

Neither can his cousins.

All four of them.

“Owen was the first, playing NRL at some ridiculously young age,’’ Campbell recalls. “Then Nath, then Peter and myself.

“And now, even while the town still has issues, we have Bevan coming through.

“I think it’s important Australia shines a light on that.”

Originally published as Why Indigenous All Stars flyer Bevan French can be an inspiration