SEVENS HEAVEN FOR PNG MEMORY MAKER
Southern Cross Univesity student Ojay Moka has made a home for himself on the Gold Coast and he’ll be the ultimate guide for his home nation Papua New Guinea’s rugby sevens team
WHEN Ojay Moka swapped Papua New Guinea for the Gold Coast five years ago, he thought his days representing his nation in rugby union were over.
Little did he realise the decision would inadvertently result in his country handing him a key job at one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.
“My role is to make sure the players feel as comfortable as they can and not have to worry about anything except their job on the field,” the Southern Cross University student said of being appointed a liaison officer for PNG’s Commonwealth Games rugby sevens team.
“They will be blooding young players and for a lot of them it will be their first time at a Commonwealth Games, let alone the Gold Coast.
“I’ll be the link with the (Games) organising committee and our management and coaches. If the team wants or needs anything, I’ll be there to help.
“All the off-field stuff should be my worry.”
Moka’s appointment is due to two factors – what he knows and who he knows.
The ‘what’ is his knowledge of the Gold Coast, having fallen in love with the city after enrolling in a Bachelor of Business at SCU in 2013.
“It was a great move for me,” said the PNG-born Moka, who briefly lived in Canberra as a primary school student.
“I started playing rugby when Mum was studying at the Australian National University (in the ACT) and after we headed back to Port Moresby (during high school) I ended up playing rugby for the national under 20s.
“I then decided to work at a gold mine before moving to the Gold Coast for university.
“I love it here. It provides such a good balance between studying and lifestyle.”
The ‘who he knows’ came in the form of PNG rugby sevens coach Douglas Guise, a teammate during his days in the national U20s.
“Originally I wanted to work with Games organisers but when PNG needed a liaison officer and asked me, I said ‘I’d love to help’,” said Moka, who played two seasons with rugby league’s Tweed Heads Seagulls. “As a player you go to tournaments and are just focused on making sure your body is right and you’re ready to run on the field with your head right.
“Now I’m looking forward to seeing how things operate behind the scenes … I’ll get get to see how the administration and the back-end stuff works.
“I also think the Games will be a great time to be on the Gold Coast.”
And while he’s hoping the PNG players will light up Robina Stadium on the field, he’s also determined to show them a good time off it.
“I love the area around the border – Coolangatta, Bilinga – and will be showing it off to the boys,” Moka said.
“And of course Surfers Paradise and the theme parks are awesome. I want to make sure they remember the Gold Coast with fond memories.”