Jayatron
Academy Player
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2008
- Messages
- 410
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
I started when I was in primary 6, which was one tournament a year, and then moved on to my high school. Because of the demographics of my area there was no rugby club so I was restricted to school games, which was about 3-4 games a year, especially in year 8 - 10. In year 11 though we did reach a cup final but got humiliated. As a bunch of boys, we then got together to play for our closest club, which was 45 minutes away. Ended up playing for Ballynahinch Under 16, 18 & 20s.
Then got scouted to go to County trials (Which we won) and then Ulster trials, which I didn't get very far in. Then moved onto play for Northern Ireland Cadet 7s team. Then I went into music and stopped, I was about 17/18
But then at 20 I got back into it and then went back to my old club and got player of the year for one of our jr sides and was then invited to train with the seniors, which is all Ireland level. Never played AIL but did play Ulster League. Then an injury knock me out for about 3 months, which put me out of the mix with my club but did offer me the chance to play in New Zealand. So played a season there in the Southland Premiership. Was lucky to train and play with NPC and Super Rugby guys.
Came back, and went to Uni in Wales, were I beat around the Uni team, Bargoed and others but more or less took a year or two out. Have found my home now in the Black Army - a Div 2 East team.
I think all in all I did OK for someone who had to teach myself how to play. Got different things and a bunch of league ***les and a few cups. But getting old now. I use to be a 6 but because of my uni days (cider) I'm a lock now. Got a lot of my game to work on now but I find being 6'3 and about 17 stones (105kg?) my size does a bit of damage.
Then got scouted to go to County trials (Which we won) and then Ulster trials, which I didn't get very far in. Then moved onto play for Northern Ireland Cadet 7s team. Then I went into music and stopped, I was about 17/18
But then at 20 I got back into it and then went back to my old club and got player of the year for one of our jr sides and was then invited to train with the seniors, which is all Ireland level. Never played AIL but did play Ulster League. Then an injury knock me out for about 3 months, which put me out of the mix with my club but did offer me the chance to play in New Zealand. So played a season there in the Southland Premiership. Was lucky to train and play with NPC and Super Rugby guys.
Came back, and went to Uni in Wales, were I beat around the Uni team, Bargoed and others but more or less took a year or two out. Have found my home now in the Black Army - a Div 2 East team.
I think all in all I did OK for someone who had to teach myself how to play. Got different things and a bunch of league ***les and a few cups. But getting old now. I use to be a 6 but because of my uni days (cider) I'm a lock now. Got a lot of my game to work on now but I find being 6'3 and about 17 stones (105kg?) my size does a bit of damage.