HE is known as the biggest tackler in his Queanbeyan Blues under 13s rugby league team, and young gun Mitch Bell was awarded by NSW Premier Mike Baird on Monday for representing his state at school level.
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Bell's preferred position is in the back row, and he has been playing for the Blues since eight years of age, but was selected by the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association to represent them at the Australian Rugby League Championships in Wollongong in August.
This came after the 12-year old stepped up an age group to play under 13s for his club, and he also represented Queanbeyan and the South Coast in PSSA rugby league carnivals this year.
Bell's mother Toni Bell said her son had made his position his own, and that was why he had been selected to represent his state for the PSSA.
"He knows his position, and he is very reliable. He tackles like a machine," she said.
Mitch Bell said the Blues club had helped develop his football skills to be able to have already achieved his award at a young age, and the community focus and mateship at the club made him want to stay playing there.
"They're a good club to play with. The coaches are good, the equipment is good, and the fitness is good," he said.
"Most of my teammates this year were in high school, but I still made good friends with them all."
He said he aspired to one day playing in the National Rugby League, and labelled Canterbury Bulldogs star forward Greg Eastwood as his childhood idol.
"I like Greg Eastwood. He's really tough," Bell said.
