Council sends two local children to Origin decider

Blues fullback James Tedesco with Rory Kendrick-Haskins, 11, Cecelia Tafili, 10, Brydens Lawyers Principal Lee Hagipantelis, Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller and NSW forward Tyson Frizell.

6 July 2019

Rugby league has a special place in Liverpool’s heartland and to reflect that Liverpool City Council is giving two deserving local children a golden ticket - the chance to see their NSW Blues heroes up close and attend State of Origin 3 – the match to decide the series - at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday 10 July.

Council put out an appeal to community and sporting groups to find a local boy and girl who they could send to the game and also attend a special NSW Blues closed training session at the NSW Rugby League Centre of Excellence in Sydney, thanks to NSW jersey sponsors Brydens Lawyers, a proud Liverpool business.

The winning criteria: that they are passionate about rugby league, love their community and would not otherwise have had the means to get to the game.

“I am very proud of this initiative,” Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller said. “Rugby league can be an inspiration and a source of hope to our community, particularly in pockets of social disadvantage.

Cecelia and Roy with NSW hooker Damien Cook.

“We have chosen two really deserving kids to get to the game and I can’t wait to hear how much they enjoyed it.

“I’d also like to thank Brydens for organising for the children to attend the special Blues training session. Brydens is one of two Liverpool organisations on the Blues jersey with Aboriginal community support group Kari Foundation.”

Rory Kendrick-Haskins, 11, lives and breathes rugby league. He is one of seven siblings.

He lives in Green Valley and has played for the Hinchinbrook Hornets Junior Rugby League Football Club since he was five.

He is also a PSSA rep in league for Green Valley Public School and plays district rugby league for Green Valley.

Cecelia and Roy with Blues captain Boyd Cordner.

He’s the first to set up on game day and loves being ball boy when he’s not playing.

Rory supports the Rabbitohs.

Cecilia Tafili is 10, plays rugby league for All Saints Liverpool Junior Rugby League Football Club and supports West Tigers.

Cecilia walks to training on her own when her Mum can’t manage it.

On game days, she arrives at her home ground at 6.30am to help with game-day preparations and with the canteen.

She loves rugby league and her community.

Cecilia lives in the Liverpool city centre and as well as playing for All Saints, pulls on a jersey for Liverpool Public School.