Robert: I left home to pursue my dream

By PARKER TAMBUA
HELA Wigmen forward Jeffery Robert left home for Port Moresby for two reasons – education and rugby league – after completing Grade 12 at Goroka Secondary School in 2018.
Not knowing what was in store for him, the 20-year-old set out to pursue tertiary studies and earn a debut in the Digicel Cup, the country’s premier rugby league competition.
Fortunately, the Masuma villager was accepted at the Assemblies of God Jubilee Institute of Higher Education in the nation’s capital last year.
Robert couldn’t believe his fortune when he was then named in the Wigmen’s 25-man squad for the short Digicel Cup season this year.
But the Eastern Highlands native got more than he had bargained for when the 2019 runners-up beat reigning champions Lae Tigers in the grand final in Port Moresby on Sunday.
“When I left home in late 2018, I challenged myself to make my Digicel Cup debut and pursue tertiary studies, and that’s exactly what happened,” Robert said.
“At the start of last year, I had a short stint with the Dobo Warriors Under-20 side in the Port Moresby Rugby Football League competition.
“After a few games, I got promoted to the Warriors premier side for the remainder of the season.
“From there, I was selected to represent our league at the Southern zone trials at Kwikila, Central.
“I then went on to represent Southern in the National Zone Championship in Lae.
“Early this year, I joined a team in the Governor’s Cup and that was where I caught the eyes of Wigmen scouts.”
Robert travelled to Australia where the Kroton-sponsored side played a pre-season trial with a team in Brisbane.
He also travelled to Fiji with the Wigmen for another trial with the Kaiviti Silktails.
“After those trials overseas, I thought I was going to miss out on the final cut for the Wigmen because I had doubted my own performance,” Robert said.
“But the Wigmen selectors saw potential and named me in the final squad for the Digicel Cup season.
“And after a slow start to the season, here I am lifting the Digicel Cup trophy.
“It’s just unbelievable.”
The Digicel Cup rookie first played rugby league in his home district of Unggai-Bena.
Robert said his goal now was to make the SP Hunters train-on squad for next year.
“I said that I would make my Digicel Cup debut this year and I achieved that,” he said.
“I hope my performances this season catch the eyes of Hunters selectors. But I’ll just wait and see what happens.”