MULTI-TALENTED: Jamie-Lee Robertson pictured here [right] with his coach Haki Herewini was named player of the NZ Maori Rugby League tournament in Hawera at the weekend.
MULTI-TALENTED: Jamie-Lee Robertson pictured here [right] with his coach Haki Herewini was named player of the NZ Maori Rugby League tournament in Hawera at the weekend.
A YOUNG Whanganui City College lad impressed experienced judges at the New Zealand Maori Rugby League Under-15 tournament in Hawera over the weekend.
Fifteen-year-old Year 11 student Jamie-Lee Robertson was named Player of the Tournament and included in the paper team formed after the competition.
Robertson, who plays in theManawatu league competition for the Whanganui-based Boxon club, was playing in Hawera for Manukura, a designated special character school based at Massey University in Palmerston North catering for students from Years 9-13. The school has a strong sporting focus.
"It was an honour to be chosen," the quietly spoken Robertson said yesterday.
"It was a Maori U15 tournament that involved eight North Island sides. I normally play in the Manawatu competition for Boxon, but I also play rugby (union) for City College in the new Whanganui secondary school competition. I enjoy rugby union, but prefer league, though."
The talented young sportsman is still eligible to play in the U15 grade in the new Whanganui rugby competition played on Wednesday afternoons, but such is his talent City College principal Peter Kaua said he features in the backline of the Saturday open grade side. "He plays alongside his older brother Cory-Lee who was selected to play in the Warriors young development team last season, so he is also a very good league player."
Jamie-Lee Robertson gained selection for the Whanganui U16 rugby union representative team where he has also impressed a number of hardened judges of the 15-man game.
The youngster will be in action this weekend for City College against Ruapehu College in the Whanganui secondary schools competition.