RILEY Cheshire is about to embark on the biggest period of his young rugby league career after signing with Wests Tigers, but he is not the only one who is excited over the prospect.
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Kurt Hancock, a man who utilised the talent of the young prop in the St Pat’s Group 10 premier league outfit in season 2017, is delighted to see Cheshire get the chance to take the next step.
Having spent time in a Newcastle Knights jumper, Hancock knows the commitment required to play alongside the nation’s elite rugby league talents.
It is the sort of commitment he has witnessed from Cheshire, who will play at under 20s level for NRL club Wests Tigers.
“I’m just really happy for the kid. He's worked extremely hard over the last couple of years and has been outstanding for St Pat’s,” Hancock said.
“It’s great to see a kid’s dream coming true. Now it’s up to him, he will have a program he will have to work to and I will help him with that.
“He’s got plenty of leadership qualities about him. He'’s 196 centimetres and a 110 kilograms and he’s only 18, it’s crazy.
“It’s just a really good reward for him for all the work he’s put into the sport.”
As well as impressing for the Saints both in the under 18s and premier league, Cheshire was a standout at a representative level as well.
He lined up for the Western Rams and his good performances in the green and white earned him NSW Country under 18s representation.
His performances attracted attention from the likes of Cronulla and the Bulldogs, but it was the Wests Tigers who secured the signature of the front rower.
Hancock said that association will benefit others in the Western region as well.
“It’s good for all the other kids in Bathurst to see he’s done this because we have an abundance of talent out here. We’ll forge a relationship with Wests Tigers now in the area, which is really good as well,” he said.
“He’s shown that if you back yourself and you work hard, what you can do. He’s a really down to earth kid and from a really good family.”