Hunters give young player a big break

 FOR Nickson Borana Ugaia, pictured, his dreams of being in a big league competition came only eight years after he started playing rugby league at Huonville Primary School in Lae, Morobe, when he was 11 years old.

The 19-year-old Aquarian is one of the latest recruits of the Papua New Guinea Hunters.

Standing at a towering 182cm and weighing 89kg, Ugaia plays lock forward.

Ugaia, of Central and Chimbu parentage, is one of four siblings.

However, almost everything about him is Morobean — the way he talks, his posture and his humility. His interest in the sport started at the age of 9/10-years-old while watching his uncles play in local league competitions.

“I was motivated just watching how my uncles loved the sport and enjoyed playing it,” Ugaia said.

“I guess it’s a Highlander thing — the physicality, I mean.” Although shy, he has shown in simple ways how well-disciplined he was raised, a contributing factor to his achievements in his rugby league career after completing Grade 12 last year at Lae Secondary School.

Ugaia said his parents were so overwhelmed with joy when he got a phone call to join the SP PNG Hunters to compete in the Queensland Cup this year.

He has an elder brother who plays rugby with the Lae Magani in the Lae Rugby League competition.

Unlike some other players, Ugaia has a 100 percent support from his family to pursue a career in rugby league. 

While he was doing his grade 12, he played with Lae Snax Tigers.

“I must admit though that it was quite challenging trying to juggle studies and playing at the same time, but like they say, sometimes we just have to follow our heart and see where it leads us to. 

“The Tigers prepared me well for big things and I am thankful for my home team,” he said.

His advice for young players was to be disciplined, train hard and perfect their skills.