Drowned teen a rising football star

A TEENAGER who drowned in Lake Parramatta has been identified as a rising rugby league star making his mark with a Sydney NRL club.

Daniel Cama, 16, disappeared during an afternoon swim at the popular western Sydney spot just after 2pm on Monday.

His distraught family gathered as the red sun set over the river to perform a moving haka as his body was taken away in a van.

Daniel (pictured) had recently been selected to play for the Sydney Roosters in the NSW Rugby League’s Harold Matthews Ball under-16s competition. The prestigious junior representative competition allows the best young league stars to compete at a high level while lining up for recognised clubs, many of which have NRL and Intrust Super Premiership sides.

He was to begin playing in the Harold Matthews summer competition in February.

His junior club, Wentworth United Junior Rugby League Club in Sydney’s west, paid tribute to the young star.

“We at Wentworthville give our love and condolences to his family and friends,” the club stated. “Daniel played in our 15s Division 1 side this year – rest in peace Daniel.”

Friends and family prayed together with hands raised alongside a police chaplain, who attended the scene to support them on Monday.

A couple believed to be Daniel’s parents were taken to view the boy before he was stretchered out of the basin with the assistance of police.

Police divers were required to retrieve the teen from the lake, which is several metres deep outside the marked swimming area.

Three volunteer lifesavers from Surf Life Saving Australia were on duty when the tragedy occurred and attempted to search for Daniel as emergency services made their way to the scene.

The City of Parramatta website advises swimmers not to swim alone.