Narrabri West Public School student Nate Browning recently returned from the School Sports Australia Rugby League Championships where he competed as a member of the NSW 12-years rugby league team.

Nate, the son of Luke and Christy Browning, brought home a bronze medal after his team placed third at that event.

After a solid performance at the NSWPSSA Rugby League Carnival as a member of the North West team, the young forward was named in the 34-man NSW development squad and attended an intensive training camp at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen during the July school holidays.

Under a coaching staff of five, Nate was put through lengthy training sessions both on the field and in the classroom and had trial matches against the Manly 13-years squads with Geoff Toovey watching on.

With new defensive skills, game knowledge and techniques, Nate was ready to head back to Narrabri to share with his fellow Junior Blues members.

At the conclusion of the Narrabeen camp Nate was named at front row, number 10, for NSW.

“I couldn’t believe I made it because there was a lot of talented boys there,” Nate said.

“In rugby league there’s only four chances to play for New South Wales which are 12s, 15s, 18s and the NRL so I was very excited for the opportunity.”

There was a short break back home before Nate had set off again.

Training at Wollongong and competing in a tough trial match against Illawarra’s finest 13s saw the NSW boys slightly miss out on a win, going down 14-12 but it was a solid performance for their first outing.

The squad then met in Sydney and flew to Ballina where it had another week of closed training.

“Hearing the coaches talking about what it means to wear the NSW jersey really elevated what we were there for,” Nate said.

Later that session a FaceTime call from NSW and Cronulla Sharks player Wade Graham really made that message sink in.

It was then off to Brisbane for Nate to play at the Australian Championships at Langlands Park.

The official opening ceremony was conducted by ‘The King’ Wally Lewis and in true State of Origin style it was Queensland v New South Wales to close the day out.

“Running out on the field the first time, that feeling, I’ll never forget it,” Nate said.

“Or my first run or the noise of the crowd.

“The games were solid, hard footy and tough competition in our pool.

“The whole experience, from the training camps to the championships is something I’ll remember forever.

“Our coaches, all the people I met, the new friends I’ve made, none of us wanted the journey to end and I still chat to the boys every day.”

NSW was the winner of the Graham Johnson Shield, finishing third overall.

Crossing the line for three tries in the sky blue, Nate said of his first “I had chills everywhere, very proud of the way I scored – getting past multiple defenders.

“Then having all the boys celebrating, picking me up off the field in excitement,” he added.

The NSW side’s results at the championships were as follows:

Qld 10 def NSW 6; NSW 32 def Victoria 10; NSW 6 drew QLD White 6; NSW 40 def ACT 0; QLD 12 d NSW 0; NSW 22 def Victoria 0.

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