While the upcoming June 18-20 tournament at Charlestown is the 11-year-old's top rugby league achievements to date, he has been working at this opportunity since he started playing seven years ago.

"I started playing footy when I was four, with a backyard league development program before commencing club competition the next year in the under sevens," Mather said.

Since then, Mather has spent time at junior clubs including the Sussex Inlet Panthers, St Georges Basin Dragons, Bomaderry Swamp Rats and most recently Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies, who he is playing for the under 11As this season - which is thoroughly enjoying.

All these club commitments helped the lock be selected in this South Coast side.

"I was first selected in the school team before we had the first lot of trials at Francis Ryan Reserve before progressing to the Shoalhaven district trials at Bomaderry," he said.

"This was followed by Batemans Bay, where we played three games and tried to impress the selectors the best you could - which I thankfully did.

"I was over the moon the make the side."

Looking ahead Charlestown, Mather is expecting the biggest challenge of his career.

"I know there are going to be some really big boys at Charlestown but I'm just going to put my shoulder in and do my best to bring them down," said the year six student.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge and I hope to play a role in helping South Coast win the tournament."

To prepare for the tournament, Mather has been training once a week with the Wreck Bay Bears third grade side, as well as his two sessions with Berry.

"Wreck Bay have been great to me and have really helped me take my game to that next level," he said.

"They've shown me different skills, which I've been implementing in my games with the juniors."

Wreck Bay club president Darren Brown hopes their support can help Mather go a long way in rugby league.

"Our club is big on supporting kids who may have a long-term future in the sport and have a chance of going to that next level," Brown said.

"We hope our financial support off the field and working with the club on it, can help him fulfil his potential."

Following the Charlestown tournament, Mather wants to continue to make representative sides, as he continues along the path to achieving his dream of playing in the NRL.