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Jackson Solien mid game, dodging a tackle from a rival player. Photo supplied
At just 16 years old, young rugby player Jackson is already chasing big opportunities, with a trip to the United Kingdom on the horizon after being selected for a rugby tour.
Jackson’s rugby journey began when he was about 14 years old, after a coach encouraged him to join the Innisfail Brothers.
“I got involved through one of my coaches who was coaching at Tully, Graham Anderson,” Jackson said. “He told me to come play down there, and I went down there and had a really good time.”
After starting with the Chargers, Jackson went on to compete in the Football Queensland trials in Cairns and has continued building his skills and experience ever since.
For Jackson, the appeal of rugby comes down to the game itself, as well as the people and opportunities it brings.
“I enjoy my friends and family getting to watch me,” he said. “It’s really good seeing them, and also the opportunities, like getting to travel everywhere through tours and everything. But mostly it’s just the game. It’s a good game that I really enjoy.”
The opportunity to travel to the UK came after Jackson was selected for the Queensland and Country representative team. Following the completion of that programme, coach Mark Moxon contacted him about joining the European tour.
“He gave me a call about a month after Country had finished and said, ‘Jack, I do want you to come to this Europe tour, I’d like to see you play there,’ and I said yes.”
The overseas experience is an exciting step for Jackson, who hopes it could open more doors in his rugby career.
“Australia is great, but if I go over there and someone is watching me, I might be able to get spotted,” he said. “It’s just more opportunities wherever I go.”
Jackson currently trains with Brothers Rugby in Townsville while continuing to play for the Tully Tigers on weekends, meaning his commitment involves plenty of travel between towns.
“It’s a lot of car travel,” Jackson said. “My parents do a lot, all the travel for the kids’ trips, the towns, the training and the games we play.”
Balancing the demands of high-level sport while completing Year 11 has been a challenge, but Jackson remains focused on improving.
“You’ve got to do a lot of training, wake up early, do running, then the gym, then training,” he said. “You just have to keep moving forward and keep going.”
While rugby is currently a major focus, Jackson understands the importance of keeping up with school as well.
“Rugby is definitely a priority right now because I want to be in top form for this UK trip, but school is still very important.”
Like many young athletes, Jackson has faced setbacks along the way, including missing out on selections he hoped to make. However, he said those moments have only strengthened his determination.
“Not making the teams you wanted to make is probably the biggest challenge,” he said. “But when you wait, it will come. A lot happens.”
Jackson plays hooker, a specialised position requiring strength, skill and precision.
“I work a lot with the ball, especially throwing,” he said. “I also work on my scrummaging because I’m right in the centre of the scrums taking all the hits.”
He credits his family, coaches and supporters for helping him reach this point, particularly his parents and Graham Anderson, who encouraged him to try rugby in the first place. Jackson also thanked Mark Moxon, the Tully Tigers club, Colleges Rugby Club, and everyone in the community who has supported him.
Looking ahead, Jackson hopes rugby could eventually lead him towards pathways such as the Queensland Reds system or overseas opportunities.
“A proper dream would be a Queensland Reds pathway,” he said. “But when people go overseas, they can get so many more opportunities through French and English pathways, so it would be great to keep that door open.”
For other young athletes chasing their own goals, Jackson’s advice is to keep an open and positive mindset.
“Never give up, just keep moving forward,” he said. “If it doesn’t work out, you’ve always got more time. I'm only 16 right now, and a lot of doors are open for me, but this, I could tell, there's many, many to come still. Just don't give up.”
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