A young Cook Islander rugby league prodigy is making waves in the NRL, honouring his family’s legacy and inspiring the next generation of Cook Islands rugby league players.

Cook Islander Kayal Iro, a rising star in the National Rugby League (NRL), Australasia’s premier rugby league competition, is back home on the rock.

Following in the footsteps of his father, former New Zealand and Cook Islands league representative Kevin Iro, Kayal is making waves as a standout player for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks this year claiming his spot as left centre.

He made his first appearance for the Sharks on August 27, 2022.

This year he was awarded Cronulla’s Rookie of the Year award, smashing through the stats table.

He has also represented the Cook Islands on the international rugby league stage.

With a blend of talent, determination and humility, this young athlete is not only honouring his father’s legacy but also carving out his own path in the highly competitive arena of professional sports.

Kayal was born in Leeds, England, on February 20, 2000, while his father was playing for St Helens in the Super League competition.

He is named after his father Kevin Leslie and his name is pronounced K.L.

In 2002, the family relocated to Rarotonga, Cook Islands, where both his parents, mother Tina (nee Strickland) and father Kevin have heritage.

Kayal Iro, aged two in Rarotonga. SUPPLIED/24112203

Being the fourth child of six, he learnt early to feed and take care of himself.

At just six years of age, he would walk to the Arorangi Rugby Club to play.

In his primary school days, he was an excellent long-distance runner and has won the 1000 metre race in the Prince of Wales annual athletics competition.

For 12 years, Kayal played rugby league for his home club, the Arorangi Bears.

His mother Tina said that every week he got hammered by the larger boys but he was persistent and kept turning up. One player in particular was Lewis Ponini, who was popularly known as “Doom”, and played for the Avatiu Eels. Ponini is making waves in the Super Rugby competition for the Waratahs in Sydney, Australia.

Growing up Kayal Iro played rugby league for his village team Arorangi Bears. SUPPLIED/24112201

At 14 years of age, Kayal insisted on moving to Aotearoa New Zealand to help look after his grandmother and to pursue his rugby league dream.

He joined the New Zealand Warriors junior pathway before signing with the Newcastle Knights ahead of the 2020 season and moving to Australia.

“As a family we agreed to work together to ensure we support our children in their dreams,” said Tina.

“It is a sacrifice not only as parents but as grandparents. We thank both his grandmothers for taking him in during his development years.”

Tina said it was the home away from home Kayal needed “and that’s what’s so awesome about being Polynesian”.

“This type of sacrifice as a family is natural and so vital in the road to success for our children. He is humble and kind, and has strong family values,” says the proud mum.

Happy to be home in paradise, Kayal is recovering from a hamstring injury, spending precious time with family and getting into the hobbies he loves – fishing and hiking to the Needle.

His injury excluded him from participating in the Pacific Cup for the Cook Islands.

Kayal Iro representing the Cook Islands in 2023. 23071806 /© Photosport Ltd 2019 www.photosport.nz

In preparation for his return home, Kayal gathered a suitcase of rugby boots that have been worn only once by the Sharks players.

These boots along with other Sharks goodies will be donated to the Arorangi Bears U14s and U16s teams.

Kayal is also passionate about establishing a pathway for Cook Islands rugby league players to progress to the NRL.