Parramatta Eels center Waqa Blake could play in Super League in 2024

PARRAMATTA EELS center Waqa Blake is seeking a Super League deal.

League Express can reveal the Fijian-born pilot has received no interest from rival NRL clubs about signing him and has therefore turned his attention to the northern hemisphere.

The 28-year-old has struggled to find form in previous years after signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with Parramatta midway through the 2019 season. Blake has progressed through the ranks at the Penrith Panthers, making his debut for the Mountain Men in in 2015 and played 88 times, scoring 34 tries in the process.

At the Eels, the 28-year-old added a further 28 tries to that tally of NRL appearances in 72 matches.

Born in Lautoka, Fiji, Blake’s family moved to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia when the current Eel was 9 years old. Click here to purchase the digital version of League Express. Click here to purchase the online edition of League Express via Pocketmags.com.

League Express is widely available from local newsagents across the North of England.

The Parramatta Eels have appointed Kane Constructions NSW to deliver the Center of Excellence (COE) and community facilities at Kellyville Park.

Construction is expected to start at the end of the month; however, the initial launch and website creation phase is already underway. Kane Constructions NSW managing director Brett Moore said the company was extremely proud to partner with the Parramatta Eels. “Projects like this are transformative, not just for future generations of Eels and their support staff but for the entire community. Our Kane team are looking forward to an award winning result and will be very proud to have exceeded the expectations of all involved at every level,” Mr Moore said.

Once completed, the Parramatta Eels Center of Excellence will be home to Australia’s largest rugby league facility with five natural grass pitches, a world-class sports hall, cardio and yoga rooms for players, and a gym. theater and review room, aquatic rehabilitation facility and cafe.

The Community Facility Building will form part of an international standard match venue with a 1,500-seat grandstand, multi-purpose rooms and community education rooms to help the club expand its programs and initiatives. community hall, sports hall, press conference room on match days, changing rooms, kiosk and car park.

Parramatta Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos said the project aimed to create a world-class rugby league facility that could accommodate the club’s NRL and NRLW teams, emerging football talent , employees and the community at large.

“From leading high performance resources to community engagement, the Eels Center of Excellence will be home to our NRL, NRLW and Elite Pathways teams,” Mr Sarantinos said.

“This will increase participation in all forms of men’s and women’s rugby league, from grassroots to senior, in one of Australia’s fastest growing regions and strengthen contact Our connection to the Eels community of over 35,000 members and 800,000 fans.

Co-funded by the NSW Government, Federal Government, Hills Shire Council and Parramatta Leagues Club, the Parramatta Eels Center of Excellence is expected to be completed in 2025.