He has stepped up a grade to the professional league.

The 16-year-old schoolboy has signed with the Gold Coast Titans Rugby League Club for three years.

The club are leaving the door open for him to start his professional career after he completes Year 11 and 12 at Moree Secondary College Albert Street campus.

During the next two years he will attend training camps for the Queensland team.

He received offers from the Tigers and the Melbourne Storm rugby league clubs as well.

Ben is thrilled with his opportunity.

“I always wanted to be a professional footballer,” he said.

A talent manager spotted his ability at the Development Cup in Sydney and promptly selected him for the Titans.

He was playing for the NSW Aboriginal team that made the semi-finals in the international tournament.

He scored three times in the four games he played at the tournament.

His team played Samoa, Tonga, Italy, Lebanon and Fiji.

He is playing for the Greater Northern Academy rugby league team.

He will graduate at the end of the month from the Academy.

He is looking forward to playing in the Academy team at Kurri Kurri against the Newcastle Knights and Bulldogs under 17-year-olds on Saturday, February 6.

Ben will keep his football skills up by playing for the Moree Boars under 18s team this season.

He played in the NSW Aboriginal side against the Queensland indigenous team earlier this year.

While there, he had a taste of playing in football stadiums and liked what he saw.

“I played the curtain raiser match before the ANZAC Test in Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

“It was a great experience with good players,” he said.