Randwick youngsters show promise
The Randwick Rugby League Club has a bright future if the strength of its juniors is anything to go by.
Rubgy league in Wellington looks to be struggling with the Orcas facing a relegation battle and some clubs battling to be competitive.
The good news for Randwick is that its juniors are doing well. Their Under 12 team beat some strong Auckland sides on the way to winning the Kiwi Junior Rugby League Tournament in Whakatane recently.
Randwick this week supplied 11 players to the Under 15 Orcas which this week play in the National Youth Tournament in Rotorua.
Spokeswoman Ana So’otaga, whose husband Matt is assistant coach, is expecting the team to do well. A number of the clubs were unable to field teams, which meant Randwick picked up players from all over the Hutt Valley.
The boys are a ‘‘tight’’ group and she has been impressed by their attitude and commitment.
Providing 11 players was a mixed blessing with the players initially asked to find $500 each.
That was a big ask for a lot of the players but with hard work the figure was reduced to $120.
Sponsor Allan Wright, who runs a local decorating company, stepped in and So’otaga said that made a big difference.
They attended a recent NRL camp where they learned what was required of them to make it as a professional.
Under 12s manager Penny Haua said the boys played really well in Whakatane, where they encountered some strong Auckland sides. Randwick was unbeaten, a result some of the opponents found hard to take.
‘‘Glenora had been unbeaten for three years and some of their boys were crying (after losing). They have challenged us for a rematch.’’
Randwick was the best defensive team and Liam Carroll won the Most Valuable Player award.
Five of their players were under 11 and the team also played two girls – Ginesa Tongiatau and Shaniqua Pilosi - at prop.
Randwick’s Under 15 Orcas are Heilyn Nonu Tuia, Nathan Stirling, Caleb Samuel, Ilai Tuia, Dallas McEwan, Josiah Lealamisa, Wyatt So’otaga, Fred Leaupepe-Tema, Stanley Fiso and Leon McLeod-Venu.