Brenton Ashford Potter is off to the NRL Grand Final after being named the overall winner of the state-wide Good Sports Competition on 2GB's Continuous Call Team program. Picture: ADAM McLEAN
Brenton Ashford Potter was just 18-months-old when he picked up a ball and casually threw it across the room into a bin roughly 10 metres away.
His mother Lisa was "amazed" then and over the 20 years since has continued to marvel at Brenton's many other sporting achievements.
The 22-year-old from Woonona has Down syndrome and uses sign language to communicate.
But, his disability hasn't diminished his ability one bit, with rugby league administrators, players and coaches praising his ongoing passion and commitment to playing and promoting the game.
These fine qualities were acknowledged after an 18-week long hunt for the most outstanding young sportsman in NSW named Brenton the overall winner of the state-wide Good Sports Competition on 2GB's Continuous Call Team program.
Brenton beat 80 entries from across NSW to win ultimate NRL prize for himself and his entire team (Fairy Meadow's Score Dragons) - including a place at an all-inclusive camp at the NSW Rugby League Academy, NRL merchandise and tickets to the 2012 NRL Grand Final on September 30.
The competition asked listeners to nominate a junior champion who demonstrated respect and fairness on and off the field.
Brenton was nominated by Michael Norris, his manager at the Sport and Recreation Service of the Disability Trust.
"Brenton has Down syndrome, and plays with the Score Dragons, a disability team from Wollongong. He helps coach a local team and promotes the game in our community by helping out with NSWRL disability programs as well," Norris said.
"He puts in 100 per cent on and off the field each week, and his passion for the game is second to none," Norris said.
"He may not have been born with all the skills to play the game at the top level, but he wholeheartedly makes the most of every opportunity afforded to him."
Ms Ashford Potter said her son's love of sports began early in life.
"Brenton has been playing sport since he could walk. He began playing AFL at only six months old. I believe his good qualities were instilled in him at such an early age as the result of a childhood filled with teamwork," she said.
Brenton also surfs and is learning to skate, and his mother said love of sports helped him dream big.