August 25, 2020
A Cherbourg teenager is getting ready to tackle the biggest challenge of his life so far … a potential rugby league career at the elite level.
Selwyn Cobbo, 19, has just signed a two-year full-time contract with the Brisbane Broncos which puts him on a pathway to the NRL.
And his parents, Kaylene Blair and Shamus Cobbo, couldn’t be prouder.
“We’re proud as punch. He’s done all the hard work,” Kaylene said.
Selwyn has a strong support base around him … his mum and dad, nan and pop, brother and sisters. But he’s also put in the hard yards himself.
“He’s got a very good work ethic. He’s an all-round good kid,” Shamus said.
Selwyn grew up in Cherbourg and attended Murgon State School and Murgon State High School.
He topped off his education in Year 12 last year by being named School Captain, the first Indigenous student to fill the role.
In 2020, he was nominated for the Junior Cultural Award at the South Burnett Regional Council Australia Day Awards after he was named in the Queensland Under 18 Emerging Origin squad.
Selwyn played all his junior football with the Cherbourg Hornets; that is, when he wasn’t playing in Wide Bay schoolboys teams or South Burnett Eagles sides.
The Broncos are a good fit for him as – just like his dad Shamus – he’s a big Broncos fan.
“I’ve been a Bronco all my life,” he said.
Selwyn usually plays in the centres or fullback, which makes sense when you realise his hero is Greg Inglis who filled those positions for both the Maroons and Kangaroos.
He’s settled into life in Brisbane, staying with a host family and combining training four times a week with working full-time with Deadly Choices.
Selwyn played for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Mal Meninga Cup last year and was selected for Wynnum-Manly’s Mal Meninga side this year before the COVID pandemic derailed that competition after just one game.
His aim now is to play in Under 20s or Queensland Cup competitions next year … and he’s training hard to make his dreams a reality.
“I want to be a good role model for younger kids in my community and other communities, and just be the best that I can,” he said.
Pacific Sports Management looks after Selwyn, who first signed with the Broncos when he was 16.
A spokesperson told southburnett.com.au the new two-year contract – which begins in November – would mean he was on the club’s development list before shifting into the top squad.
