Nineteen year old Alex Marango is set for a tilt at the Queensland Cup after being offered an opportunity with Queensland Cup outfit the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles. Final details are still being negotiated but all going to plan Marango will link with the Sea Eagles in the coming weeks and begin in the FOGS Colts but with form permitting is expected to push for a starting position in the Queensland Cup by seasons end.
Marango was born and raised in Vanuatu before his family moved to Australia, completing his school in Sydney. Marango was working in Sydney and playing Rugby Union before the opportunity came to come on tour with the VRL. He will now join the same club as Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) team member Joey Meninga.
After only playing Rugby League once previously, Marango was a stand out on tour and is expected to come into calculations for the Test series.
National Head Coach and former NRL Player Dane Campbell stated “Alex was definitely one of the finds for us from the tour. An athletic outside back with plenty of room for improvement, which he’ll no doubt achieve due to the great attitude he showed on tour.”
“Alex will benefit from training day in and day out in an elite environment and I expect him to greatly improve over the course of the year as he gains more experience playing Rugby League. Alex is someone we have earmarked with the potential to form part of our National squad at seasons end, provided his attitude and form remain.”
Marango said he was very excited at the prospect of moving to the Sunshine Coast and taking up the wonderful opportunity “It is a big thing to pack up everything and move to a new state but it was an easy decision to make. I’ve been fortunate to be given a fantastic opportunity and I will be making the most of it.”
“The VRL have been great. My aim is to repay the faith they have put in me, train hard and play well for the Sunshine Coast and to make my Test debut.”
If Alex makes his Queensland Cup debut at some stage this season he could come up against National Vanuatu Rugby League Team Captain James Wood who plays for the Tweed Head Seagulls in the centres, the same position as Marango.
Sunshine Coast Sea-Eagles season kicked off last weekend and be sure to check out www.vanuaturugbyleague.com or follow the VRL’s Facebook page for updates on Alex and to follow his journey.