Dominic Macumboy celebrates a premiership with his Lockhart River teammates. Picture: CHRISTINE HOWES
TEARS welled in Deanne Macumboy’s eyes as her stepson Dominic trotted onto Barlow Park as the evening sun set in the distance.
“He’s the first Macumboy to leave Lockhart River,” she said.
“This is the first time I’ve watched him play at this level, so I’m very proud.”
After moving away to pursue his rugby league dreams, Dominic landed a contract with the Ipswich Jets to play in the QRL this season.
But most of his footy-mad family had yet to see him play until last weekend’s game against the Northern Pride in Cairns.
With around a dozen relatives driving 10 hours south to see him play, the talented centre’s every touch and tackle was cheered loudly in the grandstand despite the Pride dominating in a convincing 40-18 win.
Younger sister Fabian said her brother, a carpenter by trade, was an inspiration to young rugby league players back home.
“He left a couple of years ago and it was sad,” she said.
“But for him to move away and represent Lockhart and the Macumboy name is a big thing.
“It’s emotional for us. We’d love to see him in the NRL one day.
“He’s a role model in Lockhart now.”
Former Weipa resident and current Northern Pride CEO Garreth Smith said the fleet-footed Macumboy was the type of homegrown talent his club would like to keep in the region.
“Certainly you want to see them come to us but it’s good that he’s taken his opportunity,” Smith said.
“We’ve got to make sure we do a better job of providing that opportunity first.
“We need to make sure that if Dominic is good enough that he plays for the team that represents his home – and that’s the Pride.
“It’s really good to see his family come to the game.”
Macumboy, 24, made 17 appearances for the Jets in his rookie season, scoring six tries.
