QUEANBEYAN Kangaroos captain Troy Whiley admits that sometimes after a few cold beverages, he just can't resist the urge to belt out a tune or two.
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But this weekend, the football player will be on a real stage, in front of a much bigger audience and using his singing skills for a completely different purpose.
Whiley, 28, is a contestant in the SIDS and Kids ACT annual musical fundraiser, Canberra Takes Two to be held on Saturday, November 22 at the Queanbeyan Bicentennial Centre. The event sees nine local celebrities paired with professional singers to perform one song of their choice.
Aleisha Stevens is coaching Whiley and together they hope to impress the audience with a rendition of Elton John's 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart'.
Whiley is taking the gig rather seriously and has been rehearsing for the past month which he said has been more challenging than regular footy training.
"I've never had any kind of coaching for singing, obviously football I've done all my life so I'd definitely say singing is harder," he said.
"Aleisha is on the piano and trying to make me hit the right notes. And you know when you're not because she'll bang down on the keys. That's when you know you're not hitting the right notes."
Whiley was nominated by good friend and former-It Takes Two contestant, Chris Duncan. The cabinet maker said he was willing to give it a go, especially for such a good cause.
"I don't have any children and I've never known anyone who has had a child pass away from the terrible disease. But I'm all for helping kids out and this is for a good cause, so I just thought I'd do it," he said.
Whiley's family, friends and team mates will be along to support him on the night.
"They can't wait, they know I'm a bit of a character so they know I'm definitely going to perform and they're pumped for me," he said.
As for his experience singing in front of crowds, one might call it 'limited'. Whiley admits to a few impromptu performances at the Roos Club but he hopes now that he's had time to rehearse, he can really impress the punters.
"Aleisha has given me a clip of herself singing her lines but not my lines, so every day when I'm going to work, before I go to bed, I listen to it and sing in between [her lines]," he said.
"I don't want to get up on stage and sound like an idiot. I'd like to walk off stage and have everyone say 'He wasn't too bad', that's my goal."
Whiley's not the only representative from Queanbeyan. Local woman Jenny Williams and her singing partner Jordan Kelly have returned after winning the judge's choice award for an eight-song medley in 2013.
The pair kept in touch and hope to repeat their previous success, this year.
"We really want to entertain the crowd and raise lots of money for SIDS and Kids," Mrs Williams said.
"It's been harder this time around because we've had less time to prepare...but we're going to do the best we can."
Mr Kelly is confident in the couple's ability and was guarded about the performance, wanting to keep it as a surprise for the night.
"There is a bit of pressure...it makes us work harder and we hope we're as good as last year. Jenny is really good. She's meant to be the local celebrity and I'm meant to be the professional singer but I think she could be the professional, she's really good," he said.
"It's just a fun night and you know it's for a good cause...it all goes to charity."
Canberra Takes Two will be held on Saturday, November 22 at the Queanbeyan Bicentennial Hall. Donations can be made at give.everydayhero.com/au/canberra-takes-2
