Cowboy advises PNG youngsters

ONLY through very strict discipline and sacrifice any aspiring rugby league player can make it to the National Rugby League (NRL) competition and PNG Kumuls.
Future rugby league stars from seven schools in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, were given this message by rising star James Segeyaro, the son of former Kumul five-eighth Ifisoe, who recently secured a contract with North Queensland Cowboys first grade for next season.
He accompanied the PNG NRL Bid team currently visiting the schools involved in the group’s junior rugby league All Schools programme.
Young Segeyaro told the students that very strict self-discipline and sacrifice would take them a long way to achieve their dreams in life.
“You should listen to good advice from your parents, teachers and coaches.
“You must always be well behaved and have a good attitude both on and off the field because it take you a long way,” Segeyaro told a group of students at Okiyufa Primary School on Tuesday.The 19-year old rising NRL star signed a one year dealt with North Queensland Cowboys for the 2011 season to back up first choice Aaron Payne at hooker.
He will line up along sidewith Cowboys stars like Jonathan Thurston, Matt Bowen and Luke O’Donnell.
Segeyaro confessed to the students of an experience several seasons ago when he was palying SG Ball with South Sydney Rabbitohs where his two year contract was terminated largely due to ill discipline.
He returned to Queensland where he managed to get into the Cowboys under 20 Toyota Cup side,  through strict discipline and “a lot sacrifices” he remained focused and performed beyond expectation to captain the side and finish the season as one of the top three teams in the competition.
The young man from Bena, who was born at the Goroka Base Hospital, said largely because of a great year in which he also made the Australian junior Kangaroos and his Toyota Cup form he was offered a contract with the Cowboys first grade side.
He attributed hius accomplishments to hard work and discipline which got him his big break and told the students they could achieve what they wanted if they were committed to their goals.
Meanwhile NRL Bid team Jacob Ivaroa (Goroka coordinator) and Ifisoe (national coordinator ) encouraged the students to remain focused and start to insitill self-discipline while they were young so it would carry them through to their goals particular in rugby league.
They said when the junior competition under the NRL Bid commenced there would be many talent scouts coming around to pick players.
Goroka Base Hospital through senior Physician Dr Kilaga Vanuga and Dr Leonard Nawara conducted medical tests for the students listed for the Okiyufa school boys side during the visit.
Eastern Highlands schoolboys rugby league competition chairman Richard Fino thanked the bid team for making it possible for the schools in the province to participate.
He said the students could use sports like rugby league to develop themselves in and to well-rounded individuals.
Fino  thanked young Segeyaro for giving encouragement words to the students which was a morale booster for them.