Sam Parkinson is well versed at the Maitland Blacks.
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A club junior moving through the senior ranks, his father Matt's a 300-gamer and he grew up just a hop, skip, jump away from Marcellin Park.
And this Saturday the 17-year-old will add another element to his career CV at Maitland, making his Newcastle Hunter Rugby Union first grade debut for the Blacks against Nelson Bay at Bill Strong Oval.
"It's a great opportunity for him," Blacks coach Matt Thomas said.
"I just said to him 'I've backed you, now you've got to back yourself'."
Parkinson, who also plays first grade cricket for nearby Northern Suburbs in the Maitland district competition, has recently completed representative rugby duties with the NSW under-18 squad.
It has been a rapid rise up the Blacks' grades for Parkinson in 2019.
"He could have played 18s but they had 29 players so he wanted to come and try grade," Thomas said.
"He started in thirds. There was an injury in seconds, he came up and has killed it ever since. Now he's come back from rep, he's firing and ready to go."
Parkinson will start on the wing for fourth-placed Maitland.
He comes up for Jordan Bower with Thomas forced to shuffle his XV because of the player points system.
Tom Vincent fills the void left by fellow front-rower Harrison Chapman, who is away with NSW Country.
Michael Howell has been named No.8 for the Blacks.
