TALLIS McEwen (16), a proud Gulargambone boy, has been selected into the New South Wales under-17s Rugby Sevens team.

This selection is just another stepping stone for Tallis, who has gone from playing local footy at the Coonamble Bears as a junior to now playing for the Manly Marlins colts side, and the Balmain Tigers in the Harold Matthews Cup.

Not to mention his scholarship at Newington College - the GPS school in Sydney responsible for producing Rabbitohs captain, Cameron Murray, and Wallabies captain, Allan Alaalatoa.

The early years

Tallis' journey begins in little old Gulargambone, spending his days playing footy with his mates and having fun - a world away from the bright lights of Sydney and Newington.

"I started playing footy at the age of five for the Coonamble Bears, because all my family had played for them."

"Gular, 2828, is my home - it's extremely important to me and my family."

Before long, Tallis found himself in a startup Gulargambone Central School rugby side pioneered by the Regional Development Officer for NSW Rugby, Mark Pitts.

"We have a few junior teams around Western NSW, and we thought starting one at Gular Central would be the way to go - trying to distinguish Gular as the rugby town was smarter than trying to battle rugby league in Coonamble," said Mr Pitts.

When the Gulargambone side first started, there were only nine players, but it didn’t stop them going all the way to the 2018 Primary School State Finals - a testament to the level of talent on offer in small rural communities.

"It was so great, taking this group of young country kids down to Sydney and they got the opportunity to play at the old Football Stadium," Mr Pitts said.

"We made the final that year against Lennox Head, and Tallis scored the winning try in front of the Waratahs and Highlanders who played later that day."

It didn’t take too long after that for Tallis to be noticed by some of the biggest names in rugby development and catch the attention of Newington College.

Tallis McEwen (left) at Newington College.

Off to the big smoke

On that same trip Tallis was invited for a tour of the prestigious school - earning himself a scholarship in the process for 2019.

Ray McEwen, Tallis' father could not be prouder of his son's efforts.

"We're just so proud of him, and everything he's done - he saw this path for himself and just took any opportunity that came his way."

"We try to get to anything we can, we went out to Ballina, and Forster to watch him play. We and his two sisters just love watching him."

"When he went down there we made sure that it was school first, and footy was the reward - and he's really taken that on and surprised himself with how he's going."

"We also just have to thank Mark Pitts for all he's done - creating these opportunities for Tallis and for anyone else who follows."

Tallis (front row, second from left) and the Under 17s squad. Source: facebook

Since going off to Sydney for school Tallis says his footy has grown exponentially.

"Since moving to Newington and playing high-level footy for them and the Tigers, my knowledge and natural game is getting better."

"With all the hard training and the experience of the coaches, they really know how to get the best out of you."

This sentiment is echoed by Lachlan Fear, the Director of Rugby at Newington College.

“His development has been quite significant – but it’s really just building on top of the talent he already possesses,” Mr Fear said.

 “He’s such a wonderfully creative and free player; especially in his attacking play – which is suited well to the 7s format.”

“There is a responsibility in playing the five-eight or fullback role that he plays, and he’s learnt how to manage the team and the game around him.”

Tallis's talents haven't been limited to just union or league either.

"He's been in first cricket, he's played A's in rugby all the way through and he's also a gun for our athletics team that just came second in the GPS (Athletics Association of Great Public Schools)," said Mr Fear

"Basically, just give him a ball of any size and he'll be great."

Where to next?

For a player like Tallis who's thriving in one of the best rugby programs and a key player for Balmain's Harold Matthews squad, the skies are the limit.

"I see my footy hopefully taking me professionally, that’s always the dream," says Tallis.

"Whether that’s in league, union or 7s, I wouldn’t mind as long as I'm up on the big screen representing my family, my town, and putting Gular on the map."

Tallis based his game on the styles of two rugby league legends - who showed the same elite attacking flair he possesses.

"Growing up and watching footy, I based my game around Scotty Prince and Preston Campbell, they were the two players I looked up to and wanted to play like."

There was also a comparison made by Lachlan Fear to a certain Wallabies legend.

"Tallis has a bit of Kurtley Beale about him; he was a free-flowing and creative footballer, always looking for something in nothing, little chips and chases that sort of thing," Mr Fear said.

"But it's also important to remember Tallis is Tallis; he's a great player and person in his own right and he'll forge his own path."

As for the selection into the NSW Sevens, it's a step in the right direction and an opportunity for Tallis to show off the talent on offer out West.

"Finding out that I got into the NSW under 17s made me really excited, it’s another foot in the right direction," says Tallis.

"It's also another opportunity for me to prove myself to people that don’t know me and hopefully I'll be able to make a name for myself."