That tradition appears set to continue, after the son of former NSW and Queensland representative Michael Hayes - who also coached the Reds women's Super W team in their inaugural season - Charlie is blazing his own trail in the 'game they play in heaven'.

After starting with Shoals in year three, after his dad and a couple of his mates from Kangaroo Valley encouraged to join, he's never looked back.

"I knew that I wanted to play a sport that gave me some adrenaline rush in one way or another, and rugby seemed to fill the criteria," Hayes said.

"I also found I enjoyed pushing myself further each chance I get, which led to me wanting to pursue this path.

"Playing at Shoals gave me that edge that rugby is all about - you really learn to enjoy the grunt and the grit of footy at that club."

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Following a number of years at Shoals, Hayes decided to move to Queensland's St Joseph's Nudgee College on a scholarship.

"Playing footy in the Sunshine Coast and making a couple of representative teams there, after moving from Shoals, gave me the chance to put myself out there," he said.

"After moving again back down to NSW, a few months later I was given the chance to have a look at what Nudgee College and what its boarding/rugby community is all about.

"I saw the culture at Nudgee and just how everyone bonded together so well - there's always things going on I could involve myself in, which played a big part in why I wanted to go there."

Hayes, now in his fourth year at the school, appreciates how it's helped him take his game to the next level.

"Since starting at Nudgee, I've found they're always expecting the next level from me, which is allowing me to also be able to push myself further," he said.

"The coaches at Nudgee really ask the best from you and support you the whole way."

During his breakout 2018 GPS (Greater Public Schools) season, which was his first with first XV, the former Nowra Christian College student was selected in the Queensland Reds under 18s academy.

Hayes trained extensively with this squad, which led to him recently helping his Reds defeat the Melbourne Rebels 46-14.

"The game was a wild experience and was something I'll remember for a long time," he said.

"The experience of flying interstate for the game with the boys to and from Melbourne on the same day - it was exhilarating."

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This experience laid the perfect platform for the 17-year-old to shine once again for his school side.

Hayes and his side opened the season with a 21-20 loss to The Southport School.

This led into their biggest game of the season thus far against Brisbane State High School - which acted as a curtain raiser for the Wallabies and Argentina clash at Suncorp Stadium on July 27.

"This match had been publicised a fair bit prior to the game, so we knew it was going to be a great atmosphere and thankfully we came out with a strong win (62-21)," the second-row forward said.

"I played a tighter game focusing on my role around the ruck.

"I set a goal for myself before the game, as we do in the change rooms with the coaches prior to running out, to be an enforcer in defence.

"Playing at Suncorp Stadium was such a privilege and it was just as spectacular as I thought it would be."

Since then, Nudgee has defeated St. Jospeh's College, Gregory Terrace (38-31), Ipswich Grammar School (39-19) and Toowoomba Grammar School (49-13) - which has given Hayes and his side lofty expectations moving forward.

"My goals for the season with Nudgee are to play my part and to make sure I do what I can do best for the team," he said.

"It's also important I improve as a player, to give my team the best chance to hopefully come away with a back-to-back-to-back premierships."

As excited as Hayes, who's Reds team will play against ACT and NSW on September 22 in Brisbane, is for the future, he appreciates he wouldn't have got to where he is today without the support of his family.

"Mum and dad have always been there to provide me with support and have always backed me all the way with whatever I want to do, which I am very grateful for," he said.

"I think a major part of this is whether or not I was playing rugby or pursuing something else, they couldn't care less about it if I wasn't happy."

Following the season, Hayes intends to return to the South Coast, to play his guitar and visit the beaches, into between rugby sessions.

"In the future, I plan to pursue university and tertiary studies," he said.

"On top of this, I'd love to continue to play footy to the best of my ability, specifically aiming high to make the Reds under 20s Academy and Australian representative sides."