Passionate fan Carol Manga helping bring rugby league to 1.2 billion people in Central Africa

CAMEROON’S Carol Manga had never heard of rugby league until he arrived in Australia as a 21-year-old. With help from Brad Fittler and Michael Hancock, Manga has helped established the game in Central Africa.

CAMEROON’S Carol Manga had never heard of rugby league until he arrived in Australia as a 21-year-old on a sporting visa to play rugby union.

Fast forward 10 years and buoyed by the support of NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler and former Kangaroo Michael Hancock, he has helped establish the foundations of the game in his West African country of birth — all without a cent of funding.

NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler played a role in helping Carol Manga establish rugby league in Cameroon.

Manga helped steer Cameroon to the verge of participating in next month’s Emerging Nations Rugby League World Championship in Sydney, but a lack of sponsorship ruined that plan.

Fittler heard about Manga when he was preparing Lebanon for the 2017 World Cup, so he invited him into camp in Canberra for a week.

“He just flies the flag for league wherever he goes, he’s a beauty,” Fittler said.

Middle East Africa Director Remond Safi played a major part in bringing the game to Cameroon.

Manga’s journey began in 2008 on arrival in Australia, where he had hopes to play rugby union professionally. Within weeks, his outlook had changed dramatically.

“When I came to Australia I saw the Raiders on TV and thought, ‘wow, what is this?’” Manga said.

“My first year in rugby league showed me that Africans, Cameroonians, would be good in the sport because we are so fast and strong.”

In his first year in Australia, Manga spent time with the Cooma Stallions in the Group 16 competition in country NSW while working as a security guard, before moving to Queensland to try his hand with the Ipswich Jets.

While working for the Moreton Bay Council in North Brisbane, Manga met Queensland legend Michael Hancock at a rugby league disability day. Manga told Hancock of his ambition to launch the sport back home.

“He sent me three massive boxes of rugby league balls and gear,” Manga said.

“Bibs, jerseys, shorts, T-shirts, lots of stuff.”

Manga has received great support from Broncos legend Michael Hancock.

Manga contacted his former rugby union club and organised a rugby league gala day in the Cameroon capital of Yaounde — his home town — in 2012.

On the day, he arranged basic drills and finished with a 13-on-13 game that Manga refereed.

“What I saw that day, it was just a confirmation of everything I believed in,” Manga said.

“I had around 200 players turn up.

“What motivates me is that I want to give to the youths what I didn’t have as an athlete.”

Rugby league is now played by men, women and children in Cameroon.

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In a country of 23.5 million, Manga’s tireless work has helped establish a 12-team men’s championship and competitions for women and kids.

Cameroon Rugby League have recently been recognised by the Rugby League International Foundation as a playing nation and have been granted Observer status.

This means the association are now a part of the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) which presents further opportunities for game development and support in the region.

It joins other African countries Ghana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone accepted into the RLEF, which acknowledges the development appeal of a region numbering 1.2 billion people.

Rugby league is starting to grow in Cameroon.

Manga remains committed to the cause, and he’s battling to have the country awarded as an Affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation, which would open the door for funding from the Cameroon Government.

In the meantime, Cameroon are in the process of organising their first international game against either Ghana or Nigeria in November.

For Manga, his rugby league dream is well and truly alive.

Manga giving final instructions to his team before a game.

Full draw for the Emerging Nations World Championships:

POOL A Malta PhilippinesNiue

POOL B Hungary Greece Vanuatu

POOL C Japan Solomon Islands Hong Kong Poland Turkey

1 Mon, Oct 1 Pool A

Malta V Philippines Windsor, 2pm

2 Mon, Oct 1 Pool C

Solomon Islands V Turkey Windsor, 3.30pm

Manga made it his mission to establish and grow rugby league in Cameroon.

3 Mon, Oct 1 Pool B

Hungary V Greece Windsor, 5pm

4 Thu, Oct 4 Pool A

Malta V Niue St Marys, 1.30pm

5 Thu, Oct 4 Pool C

Japan V Turkey St Marys, 3pm

6 Thu, Oct 4 Pool C

Hong Kong V Poland St Marys, 4.30pm

Men, women and children all training and learning rugby league.

7 Thu, Oct 4 Pool B

Hungary V Vanuatu St Marys, 6pm

8 Sun, Oct 7 Pool A

Philippines V Niue Cabramatta, 1.30pm

9 Sun, Oct 7 Pool C

Solomon Islands V Hong Kong Cabramatta, 3pm

10 Sun, Oct 7 Pool C

Japan V Poland Cabramatta, 4.30pm

The locals weren’t put off by tough conditions under foot.

11 Sun, Oct 7 Pool B

Greece V Vanuatu Cabramatta, 6pm

12 Tue, Oct 9 Bowl

3rd Pool C V 5th Pool C Cabramatta, 5pm

13 Wed, Oct 10 SFC1

1st Pool A V 2nd Pool B Cabramatta, 1.30pm

Locals enjoying their new sport.

14 Wed, Oct 10 SFC2

1st Pool B V 2nd Pool A Cabramatta, 3pm

15 Wed, Oct 10 SFT1

3rd Pool A V 2nd Pool C Cabramatta, 4.30pm

16 Wed, Oct 10 SFT2

3rd Pool B V 1st Pool C Cabramatta, 6pm

17 Thu, Oct 11 Bowl

4th Pool C V 5th Pool C Cabramatta, 5pm

A men’s side ready to hit the field.

18 Sat, Oct 13 Bowl

3rd Pool C V 4th Pool C St Marys, 12pm

19 Sat, Oct 13 7th vs 8th Playoff

LOSER Game 15 V LOSER Game 16 St Marys, 1.30pm

20 Sat, Oct 13 5th & 6th GF Trophy

WINNER Game 15 V WINNER Game 16 St Marys, 3pm

Manga during Lebanon World Cup camp with Robbie Farah in 2017.

21 Sat, Oct 13 3rd vs 4th Playoff

LOSER Game 13 V LOSER Game 14 St Marys, 4.30pm

22 Sat, Oct 13 1st & 2nd GF Cup

WINNER Game 13 V WINNER Game 14 St Marys, 6pm

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