Tommy Semmy: a story of a hardworker

To achieve success in any areas of our lives we really need to battle to reach the expectations we have. Although not always our efforts can guarantee us our aims, without trying the best we can we are surely not going to obtain what we are hoping for.

The football world might be cruel for many young men that dream to play professionaly and represent their nations in the most important tournaments worldwide – indeed, not many reach the high level required by the modern era of the sport, what does not mean they are going to give up and see where they can go.

Tommy Semmy, the prolific Hamilton Wanderers and Kapuls forward, is all about hardworking and he is clear example of those who suceeded. From those who follow football in Oceania, Semmy might be a commom name: already played his club football in his nome country Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and now in New Zealand – where he is at the peak of his carrer. The Papua New Guinea international is a physical gifted player, very strong and has the pace as one of its biggest marks as a football player. “I still keep working to achieve what I am aiming for“, says the strong-minded forward.

Semmy scored 21 goals in his last stint with Wanderers in the NRFL Lotto Men’s Premier Division, the top scorer of the league – widely praised by local football analysts and fans – “It’s a great experience, I enjoy and learn a lot here“, says the player.

The PNG international sees differences from New Zealand football in comparison in places he played before in Oceania: “The difference is the management; New Zealand football is perfectly organised and these are the differences. The players from the other countries also have quality, but the poor management is the reason that makes us to be some steps behind New Zealand. Here there is a better structure“. Semmy also challenges the All Whites saying that his national team can beat them: “I remember when we played New Zealand in OFC Nations Cup, we draw that match so I know how they play. I am sure we can really beat them“.

Recently Semmy could not play the Pacific Games – that the New Zealand U23 team won – and he clarified the reasons he could not play for the Papua New Guinea National Team: “I had some issues with my visa here in New Zealand, so I could not leave the country at that moment.“

Semmy proved himself in New Zealand: in the previous edition of the ISPS Handa Premiership the Papua New Guinean scored ten times for his club and was almost chosen the MVP of the league, ending the list in the 2nd place losing it just for Maxime Oliveri of Hawke’s Bay United.

The fantastic records of the strong forward linked him with the unique full professional club of Oceania: the Wellington Phoenix. Before the starting of the 2019/20 A-League season, Semmy was called for trials with the Nix, but unfortunately the things just did not go so well for him: “Yes, I was called for trials there, I trained with the team but they did not get back to me after that. They may have their own reasons, what is understanble“. Despite not making it in this opportunity, Semmy keeps positive: “I keep working hard and I have faith something good is coming!“.

Since the top scorer of the last edition of NRFL Lotto Men’s Premier League did not have the chance he was looking for at Wellington Phoenix, he keeps his club football at Hamilton Wanderers which is close to start their campaign in the top tier of New Zealand Football: “We will go hard this season, we want to make at least the top four – you can expect more goals coming from me“, says Semmy regarding his expectations for the upcoming ISPS Handa Premiership. The forward also is full of praise for his coach, the football legend in New Zealand Ricki Herbert, former All Whites head coach that guided the national team to their last World Cup appearance: “He is a great coach, he has lots to give us. We just need to deliver what he says in the pitch“.

Semmy is a real case of a hardworker player that made it to another level – something rare for players from the other ten member associations of OFC. The Hamilton Wanderers star feels proud to be seem as a key figure for football in the Pacific: “It is a great opportunity for us to come here to develop – we are opening the doors for other countrymen. People like me, Roy Krishna, Brian Kaltak and Micah Lea’alafa are already opening the doors for the younger generations“. Semmy also adds some advices for the young footballers coming: “My training makes me who I am. The players need to be more disciplined to get their opportunities – they need to look after their body well and be always a hardworker“.

Semmy is one of the most outstanding names of Pacific Football in the recent years; his hardworking mentality made him one of the players to watch in the best league of Oceania. Semmy is still only 25 years old, there is still a long way for the Papua New Guinean international to reach even bigger milestones he already achieved.