Long before he became a multi-code sporting superstar, Sonny Bill Williams was just another talented kid growing up in suburban Auckland.
The Weekend Herald has uncovered these photos of Williams' early days as a member of the Marist Saints league club and Junior Kiwis representative sides.
However, Williams was more than just a gifted league player. At the Roskill South Athletics club he was a promising sprinter and high jumper. He still holds the club high jump record for 10-year-olds of 1.43m.
"He was an exceptional high jumper," recalled Anne Lipscombe, wife of Ross, who was a long-serving club president.