THERE was probably little doubt the Potts twins, Ryan and Blake, were going to be handy on the touch football and rugby league fields.
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Their mother Debbie is a former Australian team touch player and their dad Troy represented Group4 in league before coaching at Lakes United and with the Newcastle Knights juniors.
But even their parents could not have predicted the success the boys have had this year.
The 11-year-olds both made the NSW Primary School Sports Association 12 years and under touch team after steering Valentine Public to second in the state schools knockout competition.
The year 5 students then helped NSW to second place at the School Sport Australia 12 years and under touch championships in Brisbane two weeks ago.
The Potts scored 10 tries between them in the tournament, which they will be eligible for again next year.
Success on the touch field came after the boys were key players in Valentine’s rise to runners-up in the under-10 A division at the NSW All Schools rugby league knockout in August.
But it does not stop there for Blake. He will represent NSW schools this year for a third time when he travels to Adelaide on Friday for the School Sport Australia track and field titles.
Blake will look to go one better at nationals after finishing second in the 800metres and medley relay last year.
His third NSW selection this year came in cross-country after he finished third in the 11 years boys’ race at the NSW PSSA titles.
The effort secured him a place in the NSW team for the School Sport Australia cross-country championships at Adelaide in August, where he scored a relay team bronze medal.
It total, Ryan has represented his school in five sports this year and Blake in six.
The boys are also following in the footsteps of older sister Jessica when it comes to touch.
Jessica represented at state primary school level and is an accomplished hurdler, finishing third in her age division in the 80m event at nationals this year.
Big brother Jayden has also shown shown talent on the sporting field, making an NSW Emerging Blues cricket squad.
Their mum Debbie said sport and a healthy lifestyle were important parts of the family’s everyday routine.
‘‘We run every morning with the dog and after school we try to fit in whatever sport we have on and homework,’’ she said.
