Future sports stars off on tour

Two teams are heading to New Zealand and Australia this afternoon to showcase the Cook Islands’ sport and culture.

Nine months of hard work is about to pay off for students from the Cook Islands Sports Academy (CISA) after they leave for Sydney today.

They will be taking in the NRL Grand Final Live on Saturday afternoon (Cook Islands Time) and will also take in a harbour cruise to Manly the following day.

But it’s not all fun and games for the academy, who will be doing training most mornings as well as some gym sessions ahead of their main event, a clash against the Australian Navy Cadets on October 3.

The academy will also be doing cultural performances at a number of functions, including at a community function where the Cook Islands national rugby league team will be in attendance.

The national side is training in Sydney ahead of their match against Lebanon next week.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Tasman, 14 members of the national under 19 rugby squad are flying to New Zealand alongside two coaches.

The group fly to the country on Saturday to undergo a four-match tour against local teams.

In what is a vital step for the development of the players, they will get stuck into matches against some of the best under 18 and under 19 teams.

The matches will also be a chance for the players to play in Kiwi conditions, where their spring season continues to produce frosty, slippery surfaces on game day.

Wally Tangata will be coaching the team on the tour alongside Robert Heather.