He’s one of the most humble athletes you’ll come across, and one of the most driven, but what a way to kick off 2019 for Lincoln Huia than to be awarded as the Mid-Western Region Sportsperson of the Year.
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Only taking to the field to play rugby league a short three years ago, Huia has already had quite the track record at sixteen years of age.
December last year brought on the announcement that Lincoln had made the Sydney Roosters’ Harold Matthews summer development squad.
Two months later and he’s now be named in their full-time squad.
Playing a match for the Sydney Roosters against St. George Illawarra Dragons at Leichhardt Oval the night before the Australia Day ceremony meant Huia had to travel from Sydney to Mudgee, arriving at 2am.
Heading into it, Huia wasn’t feeling confident his name was going to be read out but much to his surprise, it was.
“To be honest, I didn’t really have a clue that I was going to get it,” Huia said.
We got there and they were reading all the names out and I thought ‘I’m probably not going to get it anyway’ and then they called out my name.
- Lincoln Huia
“We got there and they were reading all the names out and I thought ‘I’m probably not going to get it anyway’ and then they called out my name.
“I was in shock for a little bit. I was looking around at everyone smiling so it was a really good feeling.
“I thought the girl who played tennis was going to get it.”
Huia has been in Sydney for the past fifteen weeks training with the Roosters three to four times a week through the heat, and says having received this award is only going to push him further.
Now in the process of selecting a school to attend for the next 12 months to continue playing league in Sydney, Huia can “definitely” say he is on the right path to achieving a career in sport.
After receiving this, it has given me some more motivation to keep on making teams.
Other nominees for the Sportsperson of the Year were Helen Limn for rugby union, Mariah Tavita for netball and Shayna Hickey for tennis.
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
