Two Orange products joined the next generation of NSW men's and women's players on Sunday as they came together with the Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues for a training camp at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence.
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The Sky Blues were joined by the Future Blues and Harvey Norman NSW Women's Under 19s at Sydney Olympic Park for a combined stretching session between skills and planning sessions for the 2022 Ampol State of Origin Series.
CYMS star Jack Cole (Future Blues) and Orange Hawks young-gun Lilly Baker (Women's under 19s), were both part of the sessions, which are viewed by many as a glimpse into what NSW's future rep teams will look like.
New Blues assistant coach Paul McGregor believes it won't be too long before the next generation of NSW stars make the jump to the State of Origin arena after taking part in a Future Blues camp this weekend.
McGregor led the camp of 30 players with fellow True Blues Danny Buderus, Mark O'Meley, Immortal Andrew Johns, former NSW captain Boyd Cordner, and newly-appointed under 19s coach Andrew Ryan.
The True Blues later took part in a positional training session for the Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues and Harvey Norman NSW Under 19s Women's squads.
It all starts here with these emerging players having an opportunity to work and learn off Origin greats like Danny Buderus, Andrew Johns and Paul McGregor.
- Former NSW captain Boyd Cordner
"It's important to really instill - before the season starts - where these players are in the game," McGregor told NSWRL, looking at the benefits of having the camp six months out from Origin.
"This gives them a real goal that they're not far away. They just have to do the right things by their team, their club, themselves and show discipline consistently through that.
"Discipline is a very hard thing for a young man because there's many distractions out there. But if they stay true to themselves and their clubs, they'll get the reward because the talent is there."
Cordner also relished the chance to see the next generation of Blues players up close.
"It's been proven in the past, and 'Freddy' has done countless hours and work with the Junior Reps and Blues pathways, that the fruits of all that definitely come," Cordner said.
"It all starts here with these emerging players having an opportunity to work and learn off Origin greats like Danny Buderus, Andrew Johns and Paul McGregor.
"All these guys are teaching the younger blokes what this jersey is all about and what camp is all about too.
"It's a young man's game now so it won't be long before they get a jersey too.
"The more they can learn about it, about the systems around Origin, when they transition it will be easier as they have already started building the relationships."
Cordner had nothing but praise after his first session as a women's coach.
"I'm extremely impressed. I got to speak to the girls and they're all willing to learn even the more experienced ones like Kezie Apps and Holli Wheeler," he said.
"It was great seeing the younger ones look up to them because they're in good hands. The skill level as well is formidable."
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