Melbourne Storm centre Justin Olam calls on world to pay more attention to racism and suffering in his PNG homeland
Storm star Justin Olam grew up playing with a plastic coke bottle full of grass and didn’t join a proper team until 18. He wants his story to inspire kids back home in West Papua, where ethnic violence remains an everyday reality.
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Justin Olam has been refused entry to nightclubs more than once.
“Sometimes we look down on ourselves because we know the stereotype is there, but that racism is not true,” the Melbourne Storm centre said.
“Sometimes we go to the clubs and the bouncers say ‘No’, then they’ll just let some other guys go in.
“We’ll be sober and they’d say ‘You’re drunk, you can’t come in’, but I haven’t had a drink and I’m trying to say, ‘I just want to come in and have a drink’.”
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But that is not the kind of racism this Papua New Guinean product – holding a university degree in applied physics – is most concerned about.
“Racism is happening and it’s something we’re not going to ignore,” he said.
“There is a lot happening in West Papua, they’ve had a lot of killings. These people are suffering on their own land, so we’re more fortunate here.
“It does not get a lot of coverage, something needs to be done because the amount of people dying over there is too much.
“One person dies in America and the attention is there. There’s not the richest people in the world in West Papua, but they’re still human beings.
“They are still in the time of slavery and the whole world is silent, I feel so sorry for them. People with real power need to have a good look at West Papua.”
Under Indonesian rule since 1969, West Papua has been plagued by racial violence and death, reports of ethnic oppression and unjust treatment of the native population. Even this week, a leading West Papuan activist - Buchtar Tabuni - was sentenced to 11 months’ jail, sparking widespread concern regarding political freedoms.
“I think racism is just parents educating their children in the wrong way. People who are racist are a reflection of their parents,” Olam said.
“You don’t have to allow someone’s opinion let you down, we are all equal.”
That is why the 26-year-old, who did not play in a proper rugby league team until he was 18 because his parents demanded he focus on school and university studies, is determined to inspire the next generation with word and deed.
His story is already unfolding in extraordinary fashion.
This was a kid who ran around barefoot in his rural mountainous village of Gon, population 500, houses made of wood or mud, playing touch rugby with a plastic coke bottle filled with grass to give it weight.
“You learn quickly to tilt the bottle on its side before you kick it,” he said, “if you don’t want bruised legs.”
He is now starring for one of the best rugby league clubs in the world.
Just eight years ago, a sporting career was not on his radar.
Having begun his degree, Olam’s parents allowed him to play for the university team in 2013.
“I wasn’t serious about playing rugby league, I was going to do uni and get a job – the NRL was just a fantasy, a fairytale,” Olam said.
“I stood on the other side of the line before I walked onto the field, it was the Lae Rugby League Oval in Morobe Province, and I said: ‘God, if you have any plans for me in rugby league, I give myself to you, so let’s see how it works out’.
“I was never the first picked. We’re not all blessed with the size or speed to be at the top of the list.
“Before that first game, I was the water boy and one guy got injured and I was picked. I played well, scored a couple of tries, then 18th man for the next team, and the captain got injured and I played, did well again, scored a few tries, then I was 18th man for the team after that.
“It seems I was always the last one included on the team sheet, but someone got sick or injured and I got my chance.
“Now I am playing in the NRL.
“I always remind myself I am here for a reason. Sometimes when I’m not playing well, or I feel I have too much pride or ego and don’t appreciate things, I always think about my journey, it’s not all about me.
“I will let my life be a lesson to young kids in PNG coming up; if one kid can be inspired by me, believe in themselves and do the right thing then my purpose is fulfilled.”
Olam went from the PNG national competition to Queensland Cup side the PNG Hunters, made his Test debut in 2016 for his country, and was signed on a rookie contract by Storm in 2017.
He made his first grade debut a year later, and has now racked up 22 games for eight tries.
Hundreds of Olam’s family, friends and fellow villagers now gather around small television screens to watch this diminutive fighter who models his fearless style on Manly enforcer Steve Matai.
“I used to be one of those people in the village crowd, watching State of Origin,” Olam said.
“I have a long way to go, but I feel that I am on the right track.
“I would like to be an example that you can achieve what you want if you believe in yourself, rather than believe in what some others may expect of you.”