Visitors to the bar at the Neyland Community Centre are likely to be served by a very pleasant and helpful 19-year-old young man named Ebeneezer Sokoiwasa, who is immensely proud of his Fijian heritage but equally delighted to be living in Neyland, where he has now started playing rugby for the local All Blacks and learning the complexities of competing for them at tight-head prop.

Known to all as ‘Ebs’ he came to Neyland ten months ago from Birmingham to stay with the family of his uncle, Sam Katakai, who is equally well-known in the local rugby fraternity as a very good player of the oval-ball game and although he doesn’t play in the centre at the moment because of other commitments has become hugely respected, on and off the field.
 

Already praised by ‘Evs’ and ‘Jack’

It is a relatively new sport for Ebs but he has already learned the handling skills and tackling techniques but since the Northern League game doesn’t focus on scrummaging that is something that coach Steve Evans and team manager Peter ‘Jack’ Davies are working on with their young protegee.

Both agreed as they told us,
“Ebs is very much a work in progress but his enthusiasm is infectious and willingness to take advice is ensuring that he is progressing in leaps and bounds. Playing in the front row so young is never easy, even when just coming out of youth having played the game for a number of years – so what Ebs has done so far is terrific!”





 

Played rugby league in Hull

He played rugby league in Hull after arriving there from Kent, where he enjoyed his formative years and represented his school in shot and discus – and from there it was off to gain new experiences in Hull, where he also had close family ties.

“I joined the local rugby league club and I found the training very hard at first,” admitted Ebs, “especially the ‘Bronco Tests’ which were all timed and we were pushed to the limit of almost feeling sick before they ended. The tackling was also harder because we were allowed to have two or three tacklers, which wasn’t always pleasant if you were on the receiving end,” added Ebs with a typical chuckle!

“I was there for a few months and eventually got to enjoy the training more and I played a few games for the youth team – with play a lot more stop-start than rugby in Pembrokeshire but very physical amongst the forwards!”
 

Huge honour at Westminster Abbey

Ebs also enjoyed a real honour when he represented the young people of Fiji at a ceremony to celebrate The Commonwealth at Westminster Abbey, joining many other young people from right across the world whose countries are members of The Commonwealth, looking super smart in his national costume and proudly carrying the Fijian flag. He is also a very gifted gospel singer whose voice has been heard around the country on Christian podcasts – and can be persuaded to sing some well-known pop songs at the community hub when events are going on there.




 

Ebs loves it at Neyland

When Ebs came to Neyland he was introduced to the club by Sam and was immediately made to feel at home.

“It’s been brilliant,” he told us, “with the players giving me lots of advice alongside the coaches and they are also looking after me in matches until I get to know all the rules – because there are plenty!

“I was very nervous when I was picked on the bench for my first game and I’m now training twice a week to try and get fitter. My most recent game was against Pembroke Dock Quins and we played well to win 36-10.”    
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Ebs is to be seen in the Athletic Field area more than most of the other players because he also loves his job behind the bar at the Community Hub on a regular basis – but the rota organisers are sympathetic to his need to train and play so that he continues to wear the black shirt with the silver fern and play in a tough position for one so inexperienced – and we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk think he a terrific young man who it is already a pleasure to know!