League star visits region

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 601, 29 August 1995, Page 15

League star visits region

Frano and Tracey Botica and their three children took time out to visit family and friends at Tangiwai recently. Frano' s grandmother was Harriett Teki who married Nick Botica, and their oldest son Nick Botica is Frano' s father. Rugby was always in the Botica family. Frano was born in Utiku where his father played for Utiku Old Boys before eventually moving to Auckland. The Botica/Teki family lived in Turakina, Wanganui and Mangakino area, and were always involved in rugby. In 1 994 Frano signed to play for The Auckland W arri ors for the 1995 season. Frano unfortunately was taken out when he played against The South Sydney Crushers. He will be out of playing until March of next year, but with breaks in both his tibia and fibula, its important to be 1 00% fit for next year. He is yet to make a decision as to whodie will sign for in the 1996/97 season. When asked what he thought about professionalism in

rugby, he said "its a good idea particularly when rugby produces top players that can be easily won over in the league world." "It had to come eventually." Frano said that he has invested in a bar and restaurant business in Tonga, with his uncle John Botica. His wife Tracey said that while she is very supportive of her husband's sporting career, she too loves sport and looks forward to the time when they will be home in New Zealand to live. Then she can pursue her sporting interests which include netball and touch rugby. Frano and Tracey are due to return to Wigan in September to sort out things before coming back to New Zealand to live. They have three children Chantle 7 1/2 years, Benjamin 5 1/2 years and Jacob 2 1/2 years. The family here look forward to their return, none too soon for the younger cousins in particular.