Brown staying focused

By PARKER TAMBUA
SP Hunters rookie Norman Brown says he is not getting carried away with his selection in the final squad as he remains focused on the upcoming Queensland Intrust Super Cup (ISC) season.
The Chimbu native, who was raised in Seigu village in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, told The National yesterday that he was humbled to be named in Matthew Church’s 29-man squad that will relocate to the Gold Coast in Australia for the season.
“It has always been my dream to be part of this team and I thank God for the blessing,” the Hela Wigmen fullback said.
“But while the emotions are high with exciting times ahead, I don’t want all that hype to distract my focus on the game.
“I know this is another big step in my career and there are always challenges that come with it.
“I want to learn as much as I can from the experienced players in the squad.
“I normally play at fullback and sometimes as a utility, so I want to learn off players like Joe Joshua and Terry Wapi who are more experienced in the role.
“My goal is to make the 17-man side every weekend.
“I’m eager to make my ISC debut.”
The 22-year-old completed high school at Bena Bena Secondary in Eastern Highlands a few years ago and was playing with Upegu Bees in the Lower Bena Peace Cup when the Goroka Lahanis recruited him in 2018.
He won the Digicel Cup title in his debut year with the Lahanis before joining the Wigmen last year where he claimed his second inter-city crown.
Brown thanked his uncle, late Ignas Gabriel, who inspired him to play rugby league when he was a child.
“He was a quality player during his prime while playing for a club in the Goroka Rugby League,” he said.
“When I was a kid, I would carry his playing boots to training and to matches at the Sir Danny Leahy Oval.
“He was scouted by a third-tier rugby league team in Australia in 2005.
“But when he was about to leave, he passed away in December of that year.
“That is the story that always pushes me to keep working hard and be the best player I can be.
“I want to be like my uncle and his memory will always inspire me.”
Brown thanked his family for always having faith in him and that he would give his best for them and the country.