It all started at the age five, as a junior at Inglewood Rugby Club.
After 13 years of training, being `smashed' on the field and fighting for positions, Inglewood's Mitchell Brown was recently named in the New Zealand Secondary Schools rugby team.
``It's something I have dreamt of,'' says the
18-year-old flanker.
The New Plymouth Boys High student heads to Hamilton this coming Wednesday to play Waikato, before flying to Sydney in the weekend, returning home on the 10th.
``I've never been outside of New Zealand,'' he says.
Mitchell was first named in the side on August 28, however the team was named on television as Mitchell was playing in the curtain raiser match for the Taranaki - Hawke's Bay shield match.
``He got a few texts from friends, but still wasn't too sure,'' says mum Fiona.
``He didn't tell me straight away,'' shesays.
Mitchell is the only player in Taranaki to make the New Zealand team and it's no secret that his friends and family are proud of him. Mitch's Facebook page had messages of congratulations including ``hey u believed and u achieved mitchell'' from one friend.
Mitch has represented every Taranaki rugby team since he was at primary school and doesn't look like slowing
down.
``Hopefully I'll become an All Black,'' he says, not being able to name just one All Black he has looked up while growing up.
Mitch hopes to make a career out of rugby and with his CV at the moment, there looks to be no stopping the young
sports star.
``It shows how someone from little old Inglewood can do anything,'' says Fiona.
