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Erjon, who is studying a BTEC First Diploma in Vehicle Technology, was chosen to speak at the event based on his success as a young player at Harlequins. He also plays Rugby League for the Under 18 England side.

Erjon only started playing rugby league two years ago after starting through Harlequin Rugby League Community Team and Richmond’s Schools Sports Partnership’s Self Esteem Through Sport programme (SETS). Erjon, who was at Whitton School and Sports College at the time, went on to play at West London Sharks and Harlequins RL Under 16s foundation team and now has the chance to represent England in a test and win his First England cap.

The 16-year-old, who lives in Twickenham, added: “The night before the presentation I spent about an hour preparing for the next day and I was really nervous. But when the next day came I felt more relaxed about speaking.”

Principal Dr Nick Sinnamon said: "We were delighted that Erjon was selected and acquitted himself so well when he spoke at the House of Commons in support of the Harlequin Rugby Foundation."

The Harlequin Rugby League Foundation was officially launched at Portcullis House by Vince Cable, MP for Twickenham, who said: “It is difficult to transplant rugby league outside of the heartlands but now in London there is a club that is embedded and very successful. The club does considerable good in my constituency of Twickenham through the local community and schools, and I’d like to pay tribute to that and encourage you in that work. I welcome the break out into further activities of the Foundation which is a really big step forward.”

The Foundation currently reaches over 20,000 London children each year. Its remit extends beyond Rugby League and other grassroots sport; it also embraces health, education, social cohesion, and dance. Harlequins Rugby League general manager, Paul Blanchard, said: “The intentions of the Foundation are to inspire London’s communities and enhance people’s lives; simple words but big objectives, and we intend to achieve them through the power of sport.We currently reach over 20,000 people a year, and as this charity develops we intend to grow that figure significantly.”