LEADING your side out at Twickenham is the dream of every player who picks up a rugby ball and for Ryan Kirby, that dream is about to become a reality
The following report is reproduced from the Mold RFC web-site with thanks
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The former Mold and Flint youth team player is preparing to step out at Rugby HQ with the Wasps Academy side next Wednesday, March 28, when they face Gloucester’s youth side Hartpury in the Academy final.
Kirby, son of former Mold head coach Eddie Kirby, moved from Flint to London to join Wasps aged just 16 and set himself the goal of becoming team captain for the club’s Academy side.
Just 12 months after signing, the former Flint High School pupil had achieved his target and now he is readying himself for the biggest occasion of his fledgling career.
“I have worked really hard to get to this point and it is only going to get harder, there is no stepping back,” said the 18-year-old hooker.
“I have had great support from my family, my mum Helen, older brother James and of course my dad. They supported me and gave me the confidence to come down here at a young age and take my chance to prove myself.
“With dad being a coach I was always used to extra pressure because I was always trying to impress him and from the age of 15 I decided I wanted to give rugby a real go.
“I have brought that mentality with me and when I got here I set a target that at the end of my first year I would be made captain.
“I have achieved that and now I have this dream game to look forward to.”
Wasps reached the Academy final after winning the Southern League and working through a play-off style knockout competition to reach the final.
Lying in wait are Hartpury College, the Academy side of Gloucester who have won the Academy final three times in a row and are aiming to make it a fourth.
“They are a really tough side and it is not going to be easy,” said Ryan. “But we have to go there and work hard and if we do we are capable of winning.”
Father Eddie said he was proud of his son’s continuing success.
“He was due to return at the end of this season and come back up here to get a job and play up north,” he said.
“But he is staying on at Wasps now which is great news as it means he’s doing the right things.
“Ryan’s achievement demonstrates the value of hard work and where that can take you. Some people believe something like joining Wasps Academy is unattainable, but Ryan has set his sights and put in the effort and he is about to lead a side out at Twickenham.”
Wasps are beginning to loan Ryan out to local third division National League clubs to give him experience in the senior game and test him.
“It is a show of faith and it is improving my game,” said the young forward.
“Nothing is guaranteed, I have to focus on giving my best every day and we’ll see where that takes me.”
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