Kealakehe junior Hiram Anakalea Jr. received an unexpected email: an invitation to travel Down Under and play football.
Football in Australia is better known as soccer, the country’s most pddddopular sport. Crocodile Dundee and his pals also refer to rugby as football, too.
Waveriders coach Sam Kekuaokalani threw out Anakalea’s name, and downundersports.com took notice.
“My teacher, Grace Sadumiano, found it in her email box and gave it to me,” Anakalea said. “At first, I was really shocked. It’s every football player’s dream to go to the next level.
“It was a letter saying you’re invited to play in the Down Under Bowl. I look at it as an opportunity to get into college.”
Anakalea, a 5-foot-8, 260-pound defensive tackle, will represent Hawaii on the 2017 Hawaii Pacific Conference football team.
He’ll depart for Queensland, Australia on Sunday, June 25, 2017, which is in the middle of the Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association season.
Down Under Sports was founded in 1989 by George O’Scanlon, who’s from New Zealand but had a desire to promote the gridiron game.
Down Under Hoops Classic and the Down Under International Games were later established. The organization also promotes other sports, including cross country, golf, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.
NFL players Jake Plummer, Ahman Green, Rob Morris, Dave Dixon, and Jesse Williams played in the Down Under Bowl, according to the website.
“I emailed them and talked to them, and they told me what the program is all about,” Anakalea said. “It’s a good experience even going to Australia to do activities. It’s not only about football, but traveling and looking at the culture.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the players around there and from around the United States. One of my dreams is to travel, and it’s an opportunity to travel.”
There’s one catch to playing in a bowl game on the Gold Coast of Australia: It’s not free.
The price tag for the nine-day trip is about $4,600.
However, Down Under Sports created a nice incentive for fundraising with a donation ticket that features a trip for two to Australia and Hawaii and/or a subsequent drawing for a five-day cruise for two.
“I think that’s cool,” Anakalea said. “We’re asking around for donations, doing lau lau sales and small little things to help get me up there.”
The standout paddler for Kai Ehitu got the wording a little wrong. It’s Down Under there, but only Aussies care about that phrasing.
“I thought of going to a bowl, but I never expected to get invited as a junior,” Anakalea said. “When my senior year comes, I want to work hard and make the Life Champions Senior Bowl and hopefully participate in more bowls.
“I’ve been doing weight training for football and conditioning for paddling. The paddling season starts in May.”
His favorite NFL player is Haloti Ngata, the former Baltimore Raven and current Detroit Lion defensive tackle.
“Ever since I was young, he’s been my idol,” Anakalea said. “I’ve always wanted to play like him. He’s a beast, can stop the run, rush the passer and do everything.”
Well, it’s doubtful if Ngata ever won multiple gold medals in canoe paddling like Anakalea, who already has Gold Coast football (the gridiron game) plans for his summer.
To donate for Anakalea, email www.DownUnderSports.com/payment.