To play sport professionally is a level achieved through a rare combination of talent, hard work and a bit of luck.
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It is an ambition every young player harbours, but few have the potential to seriously consider.
Murrumburrah High School captain Jared Prosser, 18, is one player who has that potential- not that he would say that himself.
Jared has been playing football here since he was just five years old and has already enjoyed his fair share of highs and lows.
“You make new friends that you’ll never forget,” he said.
“I’m always playing against mates; you bash each other on the field but it doesn’t matter when you walk off.”
For the past few years has been part of the local contingent playing for the Cootamundra Bulldogs.
Jared’s father Darren Prosser is coaching the under 18s this season and has himself enjoyed considerable success with the Cootamundra Bulldogs.
Darren was part of the ‘88 and ‘90 Group 9 premiership winning sides; victories made all the more memorable thanks to the long-standing rivalry between Cootamundra and Temora.
Proud moments for Jared so far include being selected to play rugby league for NSW under 12s and under 15s.
For the past three years he has been a member of the St George Illawarra Dragons youth development program, an opportunity which gave him the chance to seek out advice from Bulldogs graduate Jack de Belin.
As with anyone in a contact sport he has also endured several injuries, including his ankles, hips, shoulder and a broken nose.
It is all worth it though when you get the chance to prove yourself, and Jared will have that opportunity again next week in Myuna Bay.
He has been selected as a full back with the President’s XIII, a side made up of players from all around the state, and will take on fellow NSW representative sides Southern, Western and Metropolitan Reds.
All the players are competing for an opportunity to be selected in the CHS NSW open side, but will also be conscious of the NRL scouts present over the three days.
Jared’s goal at the end of the year is to trial for a spot on the St George Dragons under 20s roster, although right now he is focused on competitions closer to home.
At the forefront of his mind now is the chance to again be selected for his state at next week’s trials.
Regardless of the outcome of his representative duties, Jared has the rest of the season ahead of him with the Bulldogs.
The boys suffered their first loss on the weekend, going down at home to Junee Diesels in round six of the Weissel Cup.
The result was at least in part attributable to their injuries woes, with only 11 players available, and Jared believes the side has what it takes to make it to the finals this year.
