ACKERMERC

Bittersweet Departure for Tauranga Teen Chasing NRL Dream

Featured on NZ Herald and Bay of Plenty Times By Sam Ackerman One of the most promising young sporting talents in the Bay of Plenty is about to leave the country. This isn’t a story about a disgruntled athlete throwing his toys and taking his talents elsewhere - rather a grateful one who plans to represent the region as he chases his dreams. 15 year-old Marley Igasan is taking up a contract with NRL heavy hitters the Brisbane Broncos as part of its contracted elite development squad, his recruitment putting him on a pathway towards rugby league’s big time.  It wasn’t a hard decision from a sporting point of view, but it was from a personal perspective. “I look at it as a bit of inspiration,” Igasan says. “I’m the only boy they’ve looked at from this