A Northland teenager has been making the most of an opportunity presented to him by the Whangarei South Rotary Club to travel, study and play rugby in the United States.
Having grown up in Awanui, James-Ahikaaroa Cherrington is currently attending Venice High School in LA and playing rugby union for both school and state during the weekends in the American Football-mad country. His Santa Monica Dolphins side made the Los Angeles high school finals and Cherrington gained selection into California Griffins rep side which made the state high school finals, losing to Wisconsin 24-22.
Having gone through the Mangonui JMB network and playing for various rep sides along the way including Mangonui Taniwha Shield and South Zone IMB squads, Cherrington has stood out at second-five in a nation where rugby is still a "developing" culture. He noted the 15-man game was mostly played by those from affluent backgrounds but there was also a strong presence from Pacific Islanders. His Santa Monica team played a touring Napier High School side earlier in the year and that match gave him "his first decent game of rugby".
It's certainly a long way from the Far North, particularly for someone diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) early in life. Attending Abundant Life School up to Year 9, Cherrington moved with his whanau to Whangarei and attended Whangarei Boys High until January this year when the rotary club's sponsorship - backed by a $13,000 contribution pooled by his extended whanau, iwi and through contributions from the local business community, corporations and Maori trust boards - allowed him to travel to North America as a rotary exchange student.
Over the past year, Cherrington has made a return on the investment by representing Tai Tokerau and Maori culture as well as becoming a strong advocate against violence.
"I've joined a worldwide network of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities. We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. I am teaching people I meet about our country, culture, and ideas."
Cherrington is spending his summer break by travelling America on a train and plans to visit every state over the next month, He said he will be back home in January to deliver presentations of his "Mission Possible" experience at Roma, Kareponia and Te Hapua marae. He hoped this will allow him to repay the community's generosity and support in some way.
"I have made some good friends in the process and have had some amazing experiences," he said on his Facebook page recently.
"I acknowledge and encourage all my peers and the youth back at home to aim high, seek your dreams and live life with a passion. The world has so much to offer us. You all know if I can do it, so can anyone."
And, he noted, "There's lots of opportunity for Kiwi boys to go there and play rugby."