Ben Roberts /

Fun facts

Full Name: Ben Roberts

Nickname: Barbie

Date of Birth: 08/07/1985

NRL Debut: 2006, Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors

Clubs: Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Parramatta Eels, Melbourne Storm

Position/s: Halfback, Five Eighth

Height: 183cm

Representative Honours: New Zealand 2006-2008 (5) Toa Samoa 2008-2017 (12)

Career Highlight: Representing both parents country of birth (New Zealand) & Heritage (Samoa)

Fast facts

Favourite book: Legacy by James Kerr

Favourite colour: Aqua

Favourite holiday destination: Greece (Thessaloniki) and Italy (Rome)

Least favourite food: Cabbage

If I could be an animal I would be: Gorilla

Biography

Ben was born in Western Sydney, Australia to New Zealand and Samoan parents. He grew up with two brothers and a sister, Ben was the cheekiest at home, but often shy in public. Both Ben’s parents were very sporty and therefore they played a lot of different sports as a family, such as Rugby League, touch football, basketball and volleyball. The family enjoyed being outdoors and active. Ben’s dad and older brother loved Rugby League so Ben was running around with a football as soon as he could walk, wanting to join in on the fun. At age four Ben was signed up into a local Rugby League team.

There was some NRL rivalry in the Edwards house as Ben enthusiastically supported the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs while his brothers supported the Canberra Raiders. NRL teams aside, they always supported each other in their sporting success.

Everyone grows at different rates, Ben did not grow much in his early teens and grew rapidly when he was 18. As a result, Ben struggled to make the school team or the representative teams for Rugby League as he was much smaller than the other players. He never gave up, he focused on his skill, speed and strength and continued to play as hard as he could. He learnt resilience and perseverance, and these skills he now takes with him through life.  

In 2006, Ben found out his dream for making his NRL debut was becoming reality with only two days’ notice!  This did not give him time to worry or get excited. His childhood dream became a reality in the blink of an eye, but Ben savoured every moment he was on the field.

Ben is extremely grateful for the opportunity he had to play Rugby League for the NRL and represent both his mothers’ and fathers’ country of origin. He is humble and grateful, understanding how rare it is to make it to the top.

Sharing his story, delivering workshops to youth and giving back to the community are all things Ben is looking forward to achieving as an NRL ambassador.

Ben’s goal as an ambassador is to use his platform as a way to help others in the NRL community and make a positive impact on others.