A young Colchester rugby player has returned from Africa after representing Nigeria at U18s. 16-year-old James Sarek, who has just left Colchester High School and will be attending Colchester VIth Form College next term, flew to Nigeria to take part in a training camp before travelling with the team to play in an U18 World Cup qualifying tournament in the Ivory Coast. However, during the first days of their stay the International Rugby Board postponed the tournament because of rising civil unrest in the Ivory Coast, which could have endangered the players from the six countries taking part.
James and his father Andrew, Director of Rugby at Colchester Rugby Club, were then asked by the Nigerian RFU to help promote and develop the game in Nigeria, and they embarked on a gruelling program of TV, radio and press interviews, interspersed with coaching clinics at schools and rugby clubs. One of the highlights was a coaching session for 300 children at the National Stadium in Lagos. Andrew Sarek also held training sessions for the National U18 squad to prepare them for two specially arranged games against Lagos Barbarians and a President’s XV.
James played in both fixtures, staged at the 65,000 seat National Stadium, helping his team to beat Lagos 15-0, and scoring a try in Nigeria’s 42-31 victory over a strong President’s XV that included a number of players from the National team. James qualifies to play for the country as father Andrew was born there. “It was a great experience to play for Nigeria.” said James, who returned to the UK on Sunday. “It was tough playing in such hot temperatures, but I had been working hard on my fitness before I left.” The trip also gave James the chance to experience a new culture. “The people in Lagos were incredibly friendly, all taking the time to say hello and welcome despite the fact 16 million people live in the city.”
After the game James was presented with a Nigerian jersey as well as shirts from local clubs. He has said that he will present the national shirt to Colchester RFC. His next international game for his adopted country is likely to be in September in the rescheduled World Cup tournament, which has been moved to Casablanca in Morocco.
21/7/04
