Ryan Tongia, with ball, scores a try for the Hawke's Bay Magpies. Photo / Duncan Brown
The age of professional sports has seen many young stars fast-tracked through the pitfalls of learning about everyday life to one of luxury and lack of responsibility.
Not having to worry about how much money you have in the bank account or whether a power bill has been paid is
the norm for most young elite athletes. Their life is one of hotels and flights around the world, so it can hardly be classed as normal.
Often the only time we read about these stars off the field is when they are in the news for the wrong reason. Drunken behaviour, and disorderly conduct spring to mind. It may be a minority of players, but they are the images that stick.
But the longer professional sport is around, the more we see a change in the stars - they are more professional.
That is why it was so good to be able to put the story in the paper about Magpies star Ryan Tongia chasing down a shoplifter in Napier this week and apprehending him. What made this story even better was that it was Tongia who was the hero.
