5Q4 > An Expat NZ Rugby League Player

Originally from Christchurch in New Zealand, Lusi Sione is a young Rugby League player currently based in northern England. So far, the major highlights of his career have included playing against the Australian Kangaroos, Great Britain and being part of the ANZAC team. However, he says that the most important thing to play for is Jesus . . .

1 What got you into playing sport? > I’ve always loved sport and it has played a major role in my life. Growing up in the Christchurch Samoan Seventh-day Adventist church there were always many opportunities to play sport, whether it be basketball, volleyball, touch or Rugby League. I didn’t play Rugby League until I was 21. Playing for the SDA Rhinos gave me my first taste of Rugby League and from there I was selected to play representative football for my province (state) in the national cup.

2 What is life in the UK like? > The lifestyle here is very different from home in NZ. I’m one of a handful of Kiwis based here, but being a Christian here is a whole other challenge. Back home in New Zealand there were lots of youth to fellowship with and going to church was a simple matter of hopping in the car and driving around the corner. However, here in the UK, attending my nearest SDA church consists of an hour-and-a-half bus ride to the Carlisle church. We have a congregation of around five people. I’m the only youth in my new church—the rest of our congregation would be in the 50+ age group.

3 Have you found many difficulties in being an SDA sports-person? > Yes, it’s been extremely difficult. The pressures are huge. You can be part of a whole season campaign and then miss the grand final because it’s on Sabbath, or you can be on a tour where the injury toll has been high and you are one of the few that is fit to play, but you can’t. I’ve let down a lot of players, coaches and supporters in my years playing football, but I’ve also won the respect of many players, coaches and supporters. My faith makes me who I am and my talent to play comes from God.

4 Do you think religion has a place in sport? > Yes, certainly. In today’s day and age, we need to use whatever avenues possible to get the word out. There is no better way to do this than lifestyle. Not many people can engage in Scripture at first instance but they can engage with other people. The decisons we make in life are a lot louder than we think and they are heard.

5 What advice would you have for other adventist (and Christian) sports players? > To go hard and try your best. Remember also who you are really playing for. The patch on your jersey may say you play for your local community, but the patch on your heart says you are playing for Jesus.