An emerging talent on the rugby league field, Daniel has also secured a highly coveted scholarship with Opera Australia.

“They’ve only handed out four student scholarships and I’m the only male . . . it’s pretty surreal,” Daniel, 16, said.

The young East Maitland baritone started flexing his vocal cords as a little boy, singing around the family home.

Then, at age eight, Daniel’s mother sought the tutelage of Maitland opera singer and teacher Annabella Redman.

“No one else in the family can sing, so I don’t think they knew what to do with me, so mum took me to Annabella,” Daniel said.

Fast forward a few years and the All Saints College, St Peter’s Campus, Maitland, student is a classically trained artist in the making, with a penchant for country and rock music.

“Opera and classical music is just easier for me to sing, but I actually listen to a lot of country, rock and the top hits on the radio,” he said.

“I think it’s still a bit unusual for a young guy like me to be singing opera around here.”

Then there is rugby league, and Daniel’s burgeoning career with the Newcastle Knights.

“I started playing with the Knights 17s development squad two weeks ago, so there is certainly a bit of a contrast in my life,” he said.

“Often, people don’t know what to say when I tell them what I do and I think they are a little bit shocked when I start singing because they just don’t expect it.”

But while Daniel hopes to pursue a career in singing, his love of league remains. 

“It’s like living in two different worlds, but it’s not difficult because I love them both,” he said.