JAMES Hoyt is the chip off the old block and aims to follow the footsteps of his father Mudu Hoyt into footballing legacy.
The 24-year-old, who is based in New Zealand, has been roped in by Ba for the Fiji Airways OFC Champions League.
He made his debut for the 4R Electrical Men in Black in the second half of the match against Gaitcha last Saturday.
Mudu played for Lautoka and Ba and also represented the nation.
James is named after his uncle (Mudu’s brother) who resides in England.
His uncle also represented Lautoka and was a deadly striker.
James migrated to New Zealand as a 12-year-old.
Prior to migration, he attended Saint Teresa’s Primary School in Varoko, Ba.
James said there was no hesitation when Ba offered him a spot for the OFC Champions League.
He said it was a privilege to represent Ba.
“There is a lot of history and I just want to follow the footsteps of my dad,” James said.
“The dream was there to play for Ba but it was about getting that opportunity.
“When I got it, I said why not coming back to play for Ba because there would be some clubs scouting from abroad.
“If it was any other team then I would have had second thoughts. My dad gave me a lot of advice.
“He always has good things to say about Ba football. He told me that there are good memories about Ba.”
James started his footballing career at the junior level with the Papatoetoe Club in Auckland.
He then moved to Central United which participates in the Northern Premier League and was part of the Auckland City youth team.
James also had a stint with New South Wales National Premier League Men’s Division Two club Mounties Wanderers in Australia.
James said the Ba team was professionally organised.
“I love their set up and they train similar to the clubs in New Zealand,” he said.
“The coaching management is quite good. Ba plays a different brand of football in Fiji compared to any other team that I have seen here.
“I usually play out wide on the wing but since Ba has a different style I’m playing striker.
“The aim for Ba is to win the OFC Champions League. If the chance ever comes to represent Ba again then I will consider that.”
James said he would represent the national team if given the opportunity.
“All I can do is to go step by step,” he said.
“First concentrate on this tournament and then if the opportunity comes then definitely why not play for my country of origin.
“The message for the young kids is to stay focussed. You play football for a reason and you have to enjoy it.
“They need to keep working hard and to achieve their goals. There are a lot of scouts in football and you never know.
“For me football is part-time as I’m employed. Everybody wants to play professional football but you need to prove yourself,” he added.
