ROSEWOOD rugby league player Cody Adams experienced the moment of a lifetime before representing his country for the first time.
“When the national anthem started playing, it sunk it – this is real, I’m doing it for my country,” Cody said.
“I’m a local Rosewood boy here representing Australia in The Netherlands.”
Cody, 22, was one of seven Team Australia representatives contesting the NSL Nations Cup in the fast and tactical sport of speedsoft.
It was the Rosewood Roosters footballer’s international debut, going on to share in Australia’s fifth place finish.
The more experienced home side from The Netherlands won the four-day tournament after coming second in previous international series.
Cody was delighted to be competing against the highly regarded Dutch and other professionals from countries like Belgium, the Czech Republic, Romania, United States, Canada and South Africa.
NSL is a relatively new skirmish sport in Australia.
The Nations Cup is held every year.
Cody is keen to represent his country again having benefitted from the overseas experience.
"It was different to what I’m used to – a lot more powerful – the blasters over there,” he said.
“The accuracy. So many little things that just made it better.”
Having watched the pros online, Cody said it was incredible to play against them.
A bonus for Cody was catching up with mum Robyn who he hadn’t seen for two years.
Robyn travelled from her current base in Scotland to cheer Cody on each day.
“The best part was seeing my mum,” Cody said.
Robyn spent time in Rosewood before heading overseas to live.
Having grown up with rugby league, Cody joined with a group of mates in 2020 to try “something different” – a sport requiring agility, strategy and precise shooting.
Cody planned to continue his regional speedsoft events and a national tournament coming up in Yatala.
Cody has also been back playing for the Roosters who won three Rugby League Ipswich C-Grade matches in a row before losing their latest game 28-4 to competition leaders Brothers.
Cody played in the halves for his team’s first win over Karalee (24-12) before heading to The Netherlands.
After returning home to help Rosewood beat Laidley (10-4), he switched to the centres in the Roosters’ 34-6 win over West End.
The Roosters also defeated Norths 24-22 while Cody was overseas.
Having been part of last year’s injury-hit Roosters C and Reserve Grade sides, Cody was delighted with this year’s commitment to one team working with head coach Sam Collins and his assistant Josh Hassett.
“We had a massive influx of people come through and we’ve all been fighting for our positions,” he said.
“This year, there is someone else that can fill that spot so it’s kind of pulled everyone into gear a little bit.”
Last Sunday’s game against Brothers was the Roosters final match at Anzac Park.
The Roosters are scheduled to play Karalee in their last game on Sunday.