Junior rugby league players in Guyra had the experience of a lifetime when members of the West Tigers NRL squad turned up at registration day.
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Matt Ballin, David Nofoaluma, Ryland Jacobs and Taniela Paseka visited the region as part of the NRL’s Community Carnival and were able to meet some promising local talent.
Ballin grew up in the country in Queensland and said he understands how special it is when professional players visit regional areas.
"I got a real soft spot for country kids mainly because I am one and I think country kids are great kids and they don't get the exposure that city kids do to rugby league players so I can understand how they love when rugby league players come out,” he said.
"I remember the Broncos came to my home town in the country and every year you would line up for ages just to get a signature and just to say hello so I can understand what they appreciate about it.
"It is a real privilege to come to Guyra and spend some time with the kids.”
Nofoaluma said the NRL Community Carnival focuses on the importance of respect in the game. He hoped the players would be able to inspire local kids.
"They get a bit of an insight of how we have come up through the junior systems in rugby league and by us talking to them it gives them a bit of hope if they want to become an NRL player,” he said.