Sabumei aiming to keep spot in Orchids

Sabumei aiming to continue tradition

By PARKER TAMBUA
DRAWING inspiration from her uncles Fred Sabumei, a former Kumul, and Uvei Sabumei, a former Kumuls coach, Seroge Sabumei wants to retain her spot in PNG Orchids team for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup in England.
The 24-year-old has played two tests in the national women’s team, both against the English Lionesses in 2019.
Sabumei’s Orchids debut was a memorable one as she played in front of her family at the National Sports Institute in her home town, Goroka.
The lock forward, who plays for Royals in the Goroka Rugby League competition, told The National yesterday that it was a big challenge to maintain her spot in the Orchids.
However she said she would do whatever it took to get there.
“To retain your spot in the national team will come at a cost that’s why I always try to do the extra training at my own time.
“I try to look after myself, train hard and play hard for my local club.”
Sabumei’s determination to do extra training was evident last year as she joined Digicel Cup side, Goroka Lahanis in their training programme.
“I wanted to see how far I can go in terms training that’s why I joined the Lahanis training programme last year,” she said.
“I did most of the training with the men and it was tough. Training under then Lahanis coach Michael Moses and Gonzella Urakusie was a great experience and I hope to continue that.”

“ To retain your spot in the national team will come at a cost that’s why I always try to do the extra training at my own time.”

It wasn’t the first time that Sabumei got to train with men’s team. In 2016, while she was playing with Royals, she trained with her male cousins, some of them current Digice Cup players like Jah Hogan, Jason Maima, Lanike Poi, Sasagil Sabumei and her husband, Michael Aidava, who played for Brothers side in Goroka Rugby League.
“I used to train with Brothers men’s team during the week and on game days I run along with my team Royals.
“The kind of training I get really boosts my performances.
“I want to maintain that and yes, fingers crossed for world cup selection.
“It’s a dream of every women that plays rugby league to wear an Orchid jumper. I’m grateful that I’ve achieved that, but to stay up there requires consistency in training and performance so I must not be complacent but to remain focused.”
She said her family name was known in national men’s team, Kumuls and she was happy that she inherited that legacy in women’s side.
“It’s good to carry that legacy of my uncles (Fred and Uvei Sabumei) and I am proud of it.
“I’m thankful for the words of encouragement from my uncles, especially Uvei who was the first native to coach the Kumuls that toured England and France in the 1980s.
“Their support makes me strive. I’m also grateful for my mother who backs me financially.”
She thanked her husband Michael Aidava for backing her. Sabumei and Aidava have a five year-old son.
She said despite the challenges, her husband always backed her to play her best in rugby league.
Sabumei started playing rugby league in 2014 when she was 17. She captained the Royals side to the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup for five years in which her side reached five grand finals and won three of them.
She also captained her district Unggai-Bena to the annual Eastern Highlands Super 8s tournament and came out winners on three different occasions.
But from all her achievements in rugby league, she said her favourite highlight was the Orchids test win over England at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in 2019.
“It was a feeling I will never forget.
“I wish we did that again, looking forward to the world cup,” she said.