Meet the medic who made the team

When Rotorua's Shawn Gielen-Relph went to trial for the New Zealand University Rugby League team he was asked to be a medic. Following the selection process he has now been called up to the team travelling to England in July.

The Wellington-based medical student is four years into a six-year degree which will see him become a doctor.

Gielen-Relph recently took time out of his busy schedule to try out for the national university league team.

"When I initially went to trial they asked me to be the medic but we have got someone else on board now," he said.

"It's fantastic, I would have been happy just to have trialled but to be selected was great."

The team will be competing in a competition in Leeds in July, which will act as a build-up tournament for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup in England and Wales.

He said another Rotorua lad had also made the cut, Hamiora Mihaka.

Gielen-Relph - who can play as a centre, hooker or lock - said he had to raise $5000 to go on the trip. He is looking for sponsors and supporters.

"Every bit helps when you are trying to raise that much money," he said.

The former John Paul College student started playing league in his first year of university studies at Otago.

He said he had not looked back and had enjoyed playing local club footy in Otago and Wellington.

To trial for the national university side players must be nominated by their club coach and be studying at a university or tertiary provider.

To help support Gielen-Relph contact him via email on shawn.gielen1@gmail.com