“Stick at it, follow your dreams and never give up.”
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That was the message from Coonamble Bears junior and soon-to-be Newcastle Knight Jesse Ramien, one he sent out to all the youngsters playing in this weekend’s Koori Knockout at Dubbo.
Ramien himself moved to Sydney as a teenager, playing with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Youth Competition before moving to the Cronulla Sharks in 2016.
He has since become a regular fixture at the club, and in 2017 was named in the Junior Kangaroos side to take on the Junior Kiwis.
“I think for a lot of the boys from the bush … when they get the opportunity to go away they sort of get a bit scared leaving their family, being so young,” he said.
“But I think with opportunity comes reward so you need to take your opportunities when you get it.
“Home’s always going to be home. They can always come back.”
Ramien took the field with the Kempsey Dunghutti Bloodlines in this year’s Knockout alongside Brisbane Bronco and NSW State of Origin centre James Roberts.
The side kicked off its campaign with a 12-4 win over Walgett Aboriginal Connection in front of a packed Apex grandstand before defeating the Castlereagh All Blacks 10-6 in round two, before being knocked out in round three by La Perouse Panthers, going down 12-6.
He welcomed the number of NRL players that were in attendance, including fellow Coonamble junior Braidon Burns. The pair faced off on Sunday.
“Growing up as a young fella, every kid wanted to play,” Ramien said.
“I remember being young and watching players like Timana Tahu … I thought they were absolute superstars.
“Playing against them makes your day.”
Ramien relished the chance to be a role model for the next generation.
“I came here and I’ve been asked for a few photos … it felt amazing to come here and knowing not too many years ago that was me, running up to Timana and that asking for photos,” he said.
“I love giving back, seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they come up and meet someone that has made something from a small country town.”
The 2018 Koori Knockout grand final was in progress at time of publication, with La Perouse facing the Newcastle All Blacks.