The Muswellbrook Public School student recently impressed selectors to earn a berth in the NSW PSSA side, which heads to Victoria in October.

Sinclair admitted he was “surprised and happy” about his call-up to the state team.

“It’s the highest rep honour I’ve achieved,” he said.

“I play touch locally as well, and I really like the sport, along with football and Little Athletics.

“I’m looking forward to the national championships.

“I think we’ll go well.”

Sinclair and school mate Conner Brown took the field for Hunter in the NSW PSSA Boys Touch Tournament in the south coast town of Ulladulla last month.

The duo ended up playing a total of 12 games, against 13 regions, over three days.

Brown made it into the starting line-up, while Sinclair joined the squad for the second consecutive year.

With four teams representing Sydney, as well as south coast, Riverina, western, independent schools and two catholic sides (Polding and MacKillop) going into battle, it was obvious from the outset that replicating Hunter’s 2013 tournament victory may be a difficult mountain to climb.

The local outfit’s first showdown, against a determined Sydney West, saw the Sydneysiders claim a narrow 3-2 triumph.

Two draws and two wins rounded out Hunter’s opening day.

Three victories and a couple of losses (day two), and mixed results (day three), ensured the team missed the finals by the smallest of margins.

Although the boys were unable to achieve success for Hunter on this occasion, the pair continued a fine Muswellbrook tradition of sports representation and fair play.

With Brown’s deceptive speed and solid defence, he was able to shut down any and all attacking raids on the left flank.

In the crucial link position, Sinclair organised the defensive line and employed pace, guile and a left foot step that Ulladulla residents are still talking about to run in 10 tries.