Jiwaka man in PNG on league scholarship

A SECONDARY school student in the Jiwaka Province will travel overseas to undertake an off season rugby program and will be placed in a feeder club competition for 2015 season.

Minj Secondary School Grade 12 student Joda Wesley will travel to Australia to undertake the off season program at Gold Coast.

The Post-Courier understands that Wesley will be placed in the feeder club competition next year with Gold Coast Titans.

CSG International Managing Director and NRL Rugby Club Gold Coast Titans major sponsor Don Matterson offered the package to the Kuma Miamka 18 years.

Despite Matterson was there with his wife to witness the grand final, Jiwaka Governor Dr William Tongamp announced the good news on his behalf (Matterson) before a packed crowd at Tombil last Saturday.

Matterson said in a text message to this reporter that he would be getting in touch with the guys on the Coast to work out details.

He said it’s a little different given Joda visa status, but ideally he’ll undertake the off season program and be placed into a feeder club for the 2015 entire season.

Matterson said they would look at a tertiary education program as well, once the proposal was agreed with Joda and his parents he would provide the full details.

He did not elaborate further when Wesley will leave the country.

Wesley played for Kondol Tai in the Jiwaka Governor Cup competition and Kuma Cowboys at Baning Rugby League and also in the Coca Cola Ipatas Cup.

His outstanding performance out of many players that participated in the governor’s cup has attracted Matterson to select him to undergo rugby scholarship and continue with his education at Gold Coast.

Wesley was among the crowd and other players after the grandfinal and was shocked and surprised when Dr Tongamp announced that CSG International had offered a rugby scholarship to one of the player and mentioned his name.

Also the announcement surprised the crowds especially his immediate family including his father and mother both were there to witness their son playing for Kondol Tai in the grandfinal. His elder brother Luke Wesley also plays for Kuma Cowboys in the Ipatas Cup and was selected to play for Enga Mioks but both last year and this year but was bowed out during the final training squad, while his other twin brother Gordon plays for TNA Lions this year. The package was a surprise for the Wesley family because all the brothers play rugby while their parents are rugby league die hard and followers and it was an opportunity that God gave to them after all their sweating achievements the Heavenly body has recognized and relieved them.

In an interview with this reporter at Tombil Wesley said he did not expect such thing would happen in his life because it was a surprised dream for his life and was lost for words. Wesley thanked Dr Tongamp for sponsoring the competition because without the competition such thing would not come across his life. He also extended his word of thanks to Baning league because he played there and was brought up and special thanks to Matterson for recognizing him among many players.

 Post Courier