Image via WikipediaAt 9am New Zealand time today three young Kiwi boys, two from the Hutt Valley and one from Taranaki, set out from Wellington International Airport for Melbourne in Australia.
From Melbourne Airport they were whisked away to the Melbourne Storm NRL Club headquarters to be welcomed and informed about what will be happening over the next six days. The boys will be staying in a flash hotel and receive three meals a day there.
One of the boys is my very talented young sportsman and rugby league playing grandson, 14 year old Pride Petterson-Ropati. Pride already has a six year contract withe the Storm, while the other two boys get their dream partially realised - a trial with the top rugby league club in Australia... and the world!
Pride will be put through some training programs to test him physically and mentally, and be given a training regime to follow back in New Zealand. He will return to Melbourne during each school holidays and be tested for his progress. He will move to Melbourne next year and will stay with a foster family and be schooled there.
Prides's future is now in his own extremely young and capable hands. It is planned for him to play under 16 year Grade football, and then progress to the Under 18 Grade. Eventually he will get the opportunity to play Under 20's and First Grade football. His contract covers a rising scale of payment during each grade.
The Melbourne Storm club will pay for all his living expenses and schooling and a weekly payment for expenses and pocket money.
The two boys who accompanied him to Melbourne will trial for similar contracts to Pride's. One of the boys is an older clubmate of his.
Acknowledgements: Peter Petterson
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