Uafu, who is already bigger than some adults, has been signed by the Sydney Roosters for the club’s under 16 side for the 2009 season.

The youngster is excited about the chance to mix it with some of the best junior league players in the country.

“It all started off earlier this year, when I was up in Toronto near Newcastle trialling for the New South Wales side, and it went on from there, a few different selections and then they started speaking to my manager,” Uafu said.

Despite exhibiting size beyond his 14 years, Uafu acknowledges that he still has a lot to learn in order to progress up the long ladder in front of him.

“I’m still young but it will be hard, I think we’ll be pretty much training after every day at school,” he said.

“I’ve grown up with it and I have been really passionate about the game as along as I can remember.”

The Griffith-born Uafu said the move to Sydney has been softened by the Roosters and the knowledge that he won’t be alone in his new home.

“I’ve got heaps of family up in Sydney and they (the Roosters) have been really good, they have helped me out a lot,” he said.

“Every time I went up and trained with them in the school holidays, they booked my flights, flew me up there, gave me all of the training gear I needed.

“It’s going to be hard, but that’s the reason why I want to go, for the challenge.”

The Wade High School student will have fond memories of his last time in Group 20, with the junior Waratah part of the premiership winning side that bumped off its Leeton rivals.

Uafu will move to Sydney at the end of the year in preparation for what is sure to be a gruelling off-season ahead of what could be a make-or-break

season for the young star.