RUGBY LEAGUE
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DUBBO College year 12 Harry van Dartel played for the NSW Combined High Schools rugby league team against the NZ Secondary Schools team in Auckland last month.
They defeated the NZ Secondary Schools team 28-16 and a regional team 44-6.
The 16-year-old fullback was one of three regional students selected for the tournament and spent eight days in Auckland.
The majority of players chosen were from sporting-focused high schools.
Van Dartel played this season for the Macquarie Raiders under-18s and has represented the Western Rams.
He was unable to make selection for the Rams this season due to injury.
But van Dartel played in the president's side and was noticed for the CHS squad.
This is only van Dartel's third year playing league after converting from rugby union.
He said the experiences he had in New Zealand were invaluable and ones he would cherish.
"It was pretty awesome to play with a side like Australia and learn solid structures," he said.
"We don't really have that in Dubbo.
"They were all really experienced and it was great to learn from them."
He said the calibre of player in New Zealand was much higher than Dubbo.
"They were more switched on and everyone was perfect," he said.
"They're just at another level."
But he did not feel as if he struggled to keep up with the top players in Australia and NZ.
"I thought I played pretty well," he said.
"It's a big step for someone like me getting to play at such a high level."
Harry is leaner than a lot of league players and said his pace and agility got him the selection.
"I just try and stay away from the big guys," he said.
Fame and fortune is not on the radar just yet for van Dartel.
He said he would love to play for as long as he could, but was not getting too ahead of himself.
"I'm just taking it as it comes," he said.
"If opportunities arise I'll take them."
