The Torbanlea Showgrounds was the venue of some of the Fraser Coast Junior Rugby League over the weekend and apart from witnessing a few games I set out to find out more about a promising three quarter from the Hervey Bay Seagulls Under 15 side.
Christiaan Mostert who I saw last weekend cross for three tries in his sides 72-6 caning of Wests isn’t the average run of the mill young man who just wants to play rugby league with his mates. With his family immigrating to Australia from South Africa his journey to be a part of the Hervey Bay Seagulls was a long road. First touching down in Mount Isa the Mostert family eventually worked their way east to the serenity of Hervey Bay.
The Fraser Coast Anglican College student who only took up rugby league three years ago is fast developing a reputation for being a naturally gifted sportsperson having excelled in rugby union, athletics and even hockey and seems more than keen to give any sport a try. Unlike a lot of young men I have encountered in my time, Christiaan seems to have an old head on young shoulders and his willingness to succeed is something that impressed me. The support of his family is paramount to his success as they are there for him and assist with any guidance he may require along the way. With specific goals of wanting to get to the highest level of rugby league I have no doubt that the talent that I have witnessed in the few games of his I have seen will put Christiaan on the right path. I have seen Christiaan play on the wing and in his favoured centre position and is more than capable in both but his tackling ability and hard running style is suited to the centre role. With intent I took notes of his performance on Saturday in his sides 30-7 victory over Maryborough Burrum Brothers and despite limited opportunities with the ball due to quite a few regulars being missing from their line up, Christiaan had 9 hit ups for the match, made 86 metres, one offload and 16 tackles but it was good to see a young man after the match who was still disappointed in his game and just wanted to improve.
After the game it was fantastic to stand and have a chat with Christiaan and his family about his goals and ways that he could help achieve them and to see him not rest on his laurels or natural talent and want to work harder is probably something a lot of people need to adopt. I will definitely be keeping a close eye on him in the season and most surely be jotting his name down for the future to say “yes, I saw him when he was coming through the juniors at Hervey Bay”.
Apart from the Seagulls 30-7 defeat of Brothers on the day, other match results I saw were in the Under 14’s Hervey Bay 32 defeated Brothers 14 and also in the 14’s Wallaroos and Easts played out an entertaining 16 all draw.
