Iosia Soliola /

Fun Facts

Full Name: Iosai Soliola

Nickname: Sia

Date of Birth: 04/08/86

NRL Debut: 2005 Round 1- Roosters vs Rabbitohs

Clubs: Sydney Roosters, Canberra Raiders

Position/s: Centre, Second Row, Middle Forward

Height: 184cm

Representative Honours:  NZ Kiwis, Toa Samoa

Career Highlight: International Debut

Fast Facts

Favourite book: Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Favourite colour: Green

Favourite holiday destination: Cornwall, England

Least favourite food: Plant based meat

If I could be an animal I would be: Giraffe

Famous person I would like to meet: Tiger Woods

Biography

In August, 1986 a baby was born in St Helens Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand, his name was Iosia Soliola and no one knew that this baby would one day represent his country!

Iosia grew up with his mum, dad and older sister. He was an active and social little boy who loved to play with cousins and friends, but he was known to be very obedient.  Church was a huge focus in Iosia’s childhood, as was time with extended family.

One normal day at school, a man in a green and yellow blazer came to talk at Iosia’s school assembly, he was promoting Junior Rugby League registrations for the Marist Saints. Eight-year-old Iosia’s friends all signed up, he wanted to be with his friends so he followed them and signed up too. He did not realise that signing up for local Rugby League would lead to a wonderful career in the game.

Iosia had a lot of support from friends and family. His dad, uncles, friends all took him to training and to games and supported him. While learning to play Rugby League, Iosia began supporting the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, passionately cheering them on from his lounge room on the television.

Iosia’s became a passionate and talented Rugby League player and soon his skills took him to Australia. While training hard with the Sydney Roosters, Iosia was told his hard work and sacrifices had paid off, he was going to make his NRL debut! The Roosters flew his mum and dad to Australia to share the big moment with their precious son.

Iosia’s parents were extremely proud of his achievements over his NRL career. The two biggest highlights for Iosia and his parents were his captaincy for Toa Samoa and his debut for the New Zealand Kiwis. Born in New Zealand but raised the Samoan way, these two incredible milestones of Iosia’s career brought immense pride and tears of joy to his parents.

Now, Iosia is happily married with four children, living close to his family in Newcastle, Australia. Iosia is extremely proud to be an ambassador to league, he understands the big responsibility that comes with being an ambassador and how he has the ability to shape the lives of future generations.