Growing up watching Rugby League and wanting to one day be like their heroes is the dream of many Australian boys. For some it passes, while for others the desire to play first grade burns forever.
For local Mascot junior Mark Kheirallah, there would be no better job than playing Rugby League for a living. That’s his dream and he is on the right path.
Living in Mascot with his Mother, Brother and sister, Kheirallah is a typical seventeen year old boy. Yet the difference is that his wish to be a professional footballer takes up a large part of his life, not that it bothers him.
I love footy, it’s what I want to do. It doesn’t matter how many hours of my time it takes up, it’s all part of achieving my goals.
While attending Matraville Sports High School for Rugby League and playing in the South Sydney Rabbitohs S.G. Ball team, it is easy to see that at the moment, football is Kheirallah’s life. With a training schedule and nutritional plan set in concrete, Kheirallah is quickly acquiring the tools that could make the difference in the future.
I train three times a week with Souths as well as playing footy for school. We’re told to eat every two hours so we get all the benefits out of our meals.
Kheirallah played in both Mascots under 17′s and under 19′s grandfinal victories last year and was a member of the South Sydney Harold Matthew’s team.
After trialing in October last year, Kheirallah now plays for Souths S.G.Ball after a long off-season process. The team missed out on this year’s final after being beaten by the eventual winners Sydney City Roosters.
It’s always a disappointment losing. You work so hard to make the grand final all year and when you don’t get there it’s tough. But you just have to forget about it and keep playing your best.
While Kheirallah prefers to play in the halfback position, he currently alternates between fullback and five-eighth for Souths. Growing up as a Newcastle Knights supporter, the one player he admires is Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns.
Joey is the best player I have seen. You watched him and could just tell he was two steps ahead of everyone else. He was strong in all aspects of the game and could lift a whole team. As a halfback, that’s who you want to play like. You want to be just like the best”
Yet now his ambition is to one day play first grade for Souths. His alternative plan is to become a computer electrician, yet this is merely a back up he hopes to never have to use. While currently being coached by former South Sydney half-back Craig Coleman, Kheirallah has learnt a few key tools that could help benefit his future.
I want to play first grade for Souths. Right now, there is nothing I want more. I just want to keep playing footy, keep learning and getting better. I’ll just keep doing my best and hopefully one day i’ll be running out playing first grade in the red and green.
At 17, Kheirallah has many years ahead of him. If all goes to plan, he’ll be a player of the future.
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