HERBIE Farnworth certainly knows how to make a big impression.

The talented teeenager has recently returned from a six-week stint playing rugby league in Australia – and earned an invite to turn out for the mighty Brisbane Broncos.

The 14-year-old travelled Down Under with his mother Joanne and uncle Brian Foley who knows a thing or two about spotting talent.

For Foley is credited with nuturing the development of players at Wigan Warriors where, as head of youth, he helped see countless players break in to the professional ranks and go on and become top internationals – including superstar Sam Tomkins who Herbie met while in Australia.

Now the former Blacko Primary School pupil is showing signs that he could be the next off the Foley production line.

After months of meticulous planning – cutting through red tape in order to clear Herbie to play and getting special permission to leave school early – they headed for the Gold Coast in Queensland.

Herbie, who attends Ermysteads Grammar School in Skipton made the trip on the back of another superb season for Wigan St Patricks where he had been leading points scorer and attracted the attention of several leading clubs all offering scholarship awards.

Instead, Herbie headed for Oz where he signed up for Burleigh Bears, a club similar in size and stature as St Pats.And he was soon to make his mark.

“Herbie could have accepted the offer a scholarship but he turned them down in order to further challenge himself in the toughest of all sports that one could wish to play,” said Foley. “Herbie knew that Australia are the world champions they have a powerful competition and he would benefit greatly from such a visit.”

And benefit he did. So much so that six weeks later, he had cemented a place in the Under 15s First team and went on to score two tries to help the Bears win the Premiership title.

“The Australian boys warmed to Herbie and took him to their hearts,” added Foley. “They displayed tremendous respect for him as he had beaten these fierce competitors at the speed agility and quickness tests and they were also impressed with his unique fleet footed attacking skills and tough tackling technique.

“They were clearly upset on his return home such was the impression that Herbie had made that they have welcomed him back for next year.”

But Herbie’s talents also made an impression on the Rugby League establishment in Australia so much so that glamour professional club, Brisbane Broncos, have invited him to return and play for their under 16 team next September.

“This will be a fantastic opportunity for Herbie,” said Foley. “The Broncos is made up of the best players in Australia and the southern hemisphere Herbie has been fast tracked to this team.”

While in Australia, Herbie was also VIP guest of Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Sydney City, and South Sydney, where he was allowed into their inner sanctum of the special training methods that these top professional athletes go through.

He also met the Burgess brothers; Sam, Luke, George and Tom, the Yorkshire-born siblings who are are big time players in Australia and created history by being the first four brothers to play for a professional team at such a high level.

As it stands, Herbie could be the next big thing in the world of Rugby League.