Glenwood High duo Pumipi and Puruto excited to make the Pacific Islands Oztag team
PROMISING Oztag players Brandon Pumipi and Lachlan Puruto are living their dream of representing Pacific Islands, both Glenwood teenagers being chosen for their under-18 team.
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PROMISING Oztag players Brandon Pumipi and Lachlan Puruto are living their dream of representing Pacific Islands, both Glenwood teenagers being chosen for their under-18 team.
The two close mates at Glenwood High School have been representing NSW under-16 team and are now mixing it with the best in the higher age groups, showing plenty of skills and maturity.
The Norwest Eagles duo Brandon and Lachlan are this week’s nominees for the NewsLocal Junior Sports Star Awards and have been playing Oztag for nine years.
Brandon, who represents the under-18 Men’s Polynesian Oztag team at the Big 4 Challenge, is also a keen rugby league and touch football player.
Among his achievements is helping NSW win the under-16 State of Origin Oztag title and playing in the Australian Junior Oztag Championships in 2015 and 2016.
“Being selected for the Pacific Islands under-18’s boys team means a lot to me because as a young boy my dream has always been to represent my culture in a sport I know and love,” Brandon said.
The dedicated Brandon will be teaming up with his brother in the under-20 Norwest Eagles men’s team for Senior State Cup.
It’s not the first time Brandon has played over his age group, having helped his team win the Marayong senior competition’s Division A title.
Lachlan is a versatile sportsman, being chosen for the Hills Hornets under-18 Division I basketball team but has decided to concentrate on Oztag.
“Making the Pacific Islands team is a great achievement and shows I have great potential to go further in the upcoming sport,” Lachlan said.
“I decided to focus solely on Oztag as training and playing timetables have been it extremely difficult for me to commit to both this and basketball.
“But I continue to represent my school in basketball, touch football and Oztag.”
Lachlan, who prefers to shun the limelight, said he will take the try assist over a try any day of the week, and loves encouraging his teammates.
Local sports stars
5 categories
■ The Local Sports Stars program is searching for outstanding athletes aged under 18, as well as those that love and contribute to making sport a great experience for everyone. We also
want to celebrate the parents, coaches and volunteers that help make it all possible.
■ The program has five categories: Junior Sports Star Individual, Junior Sports Star Team, Young Sporting Spirit Individual, Young Sporting Spirit Team and Service to Sport .
■ The awards are sponsored by rebel, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Rooty Hill RSL, SportsTG and Your Local Club.
■ Nominate someone at localsportsstars.com.au
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