Bulldogs swoop for Lennox

Lennox Ngata-Faofua has become the latest Redcliffe State High School (RSHS) student to be snapped up by the NRL.

The 14-year-old prop forward, who only started playing rugby league two years ago, has put pen-to-paper for Canterbury Bulldogs.

But like Ryan White and James Peni, signed by Storm and Bulldogs last month, he will stay in the school’s program and with his club Redcliffe Dolphins.

“It’s an exciting opportunity,” Lennox said, “I just hope to enjoy it, develop and become a better player.

“I wasn’t really aware I was being watched, but other boys tell me NRL clubs help you along the way and give you feedback.”

Rugby union and boxing feature on both sides of his family, but it was Lennox’s desire to get fit which led him to rugby league.

At the start of Grade 7 he weighed 82kgs and joined Redcliffe Dolphins, playing in the under 13s for the 2022 season.

Now Lennox weighs-in at 104kgs, is 1.85m tall, trains five or six times a week, plays for club and school and has represented Sunshine Coast District and Queensland.

“Lennox is pretty new to the game,” said Jay Wilkinson, Director of Rugby League at RSHS, “but the improvement you keep seeing in him is huge.

“He has the physical attributes, he’s got a really strong carry with the ball, his defence is pretty powerful and there are things he needs to work on.

“It’s not unusual for someone to go to this level in two years, but it is still a credit to Lennox and the (RSHS) program.

“He could be anything (in rugby league). It’s totally up to him to maintain that motivation, keep working and continue the trajectory he is on.”