James ended the season as a national and champion, after playing with the successful New South Wales PSSA (Primary Schools Sports Association) rugby side at the Australian Exchange carnival in Melbourne.

The New South Wales side dominated the tournament, winning all three matches they played, scoring a total of 118 points and conceding just five.

James, the only player chosen from the Hunter Valley, played all three matches in his specialist position of hooker.

This is the highest possible representative honour that could be achieved by James, as no national team is picked in his under 12 age group.

James, who lives in Broke and attends Hunter Valley Grammar School, won selection in the successful New South Wales squad after an impressive performance in the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) team at the State primary schools rugby tournament that was played in Nowra in August.

Thirteen teams and around 330 players competed in the carnival, with James’ CIS team claiming the state title after going through the tournament undefeated.

And while his parents didn’t fully embrace the constant travelling for training, which included a trip to Sydney every week while he was training with the NSW squad, James said he had thoroughly enjoyed this season.

His schedule was jam packed, with playing and training commitments with the Singleton Bulls, the Newcastle Wildfires under 12 representative side, and his multiple school teams.

“I loved it, I was playing and training five days a week for three straight months,” James said.

As for next season, James said he was aiming to gain selection in the under 14 country NSW squad and looks to again rise through the representative levels.

And while he has finished playing rugby for this season, there is no rest for James, as he will be spending the off season in training with the Newcastle Wildfires under 13 team for the 2009 season.