GRIFFITH High School student Ben Sloane recently travelled to Perth as a part of the New South Wales Indigenous under 16s representative side.
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The match against the West Coast Pirates served as a curtain raiser to Round 13 NRL fixture between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the New Zealand Warriors on the 7th of June.
While playing for the Yenda Blueheelers under 16s side, a father of one of Ben's friends watched him play who saw talent in the young man.
The friend's father then passed Ben's name onto the coach of the NSW Indigenous side who then picked Ben in the team.
Ben said while there were many aspects of the step up in class were tough, he relished the challenge.
"The training was a lot harder but they got me through it, they helped me with a lot of stuff there and I managed to get to their level," Ben said.
"It was pretty good playing alongside a good bunch of boys who had a lot of talent."
The two teams fought out for the inaugaral Rhys Wesser Shield at nib Stadium.
Ben came off the bench into the game playing front and second row.
He stayed on for a 50 minute stint before a quick breather and then went back on to finish out the match.
The New South Wales Indigenous under 16s took out the match 20-10 against the West Coast Pirates.
Ben now has a chance to travel overseas as a part of the Indigenous team, visiting four countries including New Zealand and England.
The team will tour the four countries playing a game against a reprsentative side in each of them.
Ben was almost not able to make the trip and wanted to thank Yenda Blueheelers secretary Sam Panarello for helping him get over to Perth.
"I would like to thank Sam Panarello for all the help, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't of been there."