Lemeki Radovu of Assemblies of God High School is the latest recipient of a rugby league contract after signing a three-year deal with Australian-based National Rugby League club North Queensland Cowboys.
The 17-year-old, who is part of the Junior Fiji Bati side, will depart for Australia in January next year.
The Naitasiri lad was first scouted by Fiji Bati head coach Wise Kativerata last year where he participated in the annual Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League competition before being approached to join the Junior Fiji Bati.
“He was one of the first boys that I scouted. It’s funny because after watching him play one day, I went to school to ask for him and I was told that he had gone home,” Kativerata said.
“Usually when this happens, I don’t go back to the school. But there was something special about Lemeki that I went back to his school the following day to meet him.”
Meanwhile, North Queensland Cowboys recruitment manager Dane Campbell said Radovu’s athletic frame and his performance on the field made him stand out from the other players in the Junior Bati.
“Not only does he have the athletic frame, but he also certainly has the talent and the understanding of the game which makes him different from the others,” he said.
“He also has a lot of discipline on the field, and this is one of the important factors we look out for in a player.”
He said he had been monitoring Radovu’s performance over the past few weeks before making the offer.
Sakaraia Radovu, Lemeki’s father, says his family was overwhelmed
with emotions when they were told that their son had received a three-year contract.
“This is a very huge achievement for Lemeki, and we are all very proud of him,” he said.
“He has always had a passion for rugby, and he showed this in his commitment to training with the Junior Fiji Bati.”
Sakaraia added that whilst they are proud of their son, they are saddened by the fact that they will not be together for the next three years.
“We are very happy that he has signed with the Cowboys, but we are sad that he will be leaving us.
“But we know that it is all for the best, so we will support him throughout this new journey of his.”
