Canadian teenage forward Quinn Ngawati leaves the Toronto Wolfpack

TORONTO — Canadian forward Quinn Ngawati has left the Toronto Wolfpack.

The transatlantic rugby league team says the 19-year-old has returned home to Victoria “to continue his professional development.”

Ngawati (pronounced Now-r-tee) plays to play rugby union — fifteens and sevens — and rugby league as well as pursuing a career in aviation.

“We are extremely sorry to see Quinn leave the Wolfpack,” Brian Noble, Toronto’s director of rugby said in a statement Tuesday. “He goes with the club’s full support as he looks to develop his rugby career in Victoria and his off-field career in aviation.

“For a young man making his name in the game, Quinn has shown a huge desire to learn and develop in a professional environment, and he has proved to be extremely popular with his teammates. We wish Quinn all the best for the future, and let’s hope our paths will cross once more and that we see Quinn again in the Wolfpack jersey one day.”

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Ngawati was the lone North American on the roster. American Ryan Burroughs was loaned to Barrow Raiders most recently.

Ngawati made three appearances for Toronto after impressing in tryouts ahead of its inaugural season in 2017. He saw action twice last year, becoming the first Canadian-born player to appear in a professional rugby league game when he made his debut against Gloucester All Golds in Round 14 of League 1 play.

Ngawati was loaned to this year to London Skolars in League 1, where he made nine appearances and scored his first professional try.

Recalled by Toronto in June, Ngawati started the final game of the regular season against Featherstone Rovers in the second-tier Betfred Championship.

Ngawati has been named to the Canada Wolverines’ extended training squad ahead of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup Americas qualifying tournament. The Wolverines are set to play Jamaica at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., on Nov. 13.

The Wolfpack wrapped up their season on Oct. 7, losing a promotion showdown 4-2 to London Broncos.

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Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press