A young Colchester rugby player has won international honours at youth level playing for Nigeria.

James Sarek, 16, flew to Nigeria to take part in a training camp before travelling with the team to play in an under-18 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.

They embarked on a gruelling schedule 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 under-18 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.

He helped his team beat Lagos 15-0, and scored 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 and he said: It was a great experience to play for Nigeria.

Published Thursday July 22, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette