LEE KERSHAW - GRASSROOTS TO GREATNESS?
What is the Rugby League dream?
As you know GRM SPORT is a platform dedicated to supporting and showcasing the very best grassroots talent this country has to offer.
Over the years we have covered extremely talented homegrown athletes who are now starting to make their mark on the Super League, and for many of our readers, playing in the Super League would also be a dream come true.
Wakefield Trinity Winger Lee Kershaw, 21, has all the hallmarks of a quality homegrown rugby league player. Kershaw burst into the spotlight after a blistering 60m debut try against Leeds Rhinos in 2019, and displayed promising signs for a future in Rugby League
However, Kershaw has recently made headlines for his decision to turn down a marginal pay rise at Wakefield and instead opting to work part-time delivering parcels for Hermes.
You can watch Lee Kershaw's debut try on Sky Sports by following the link below.
To make matters worse, Kershaw may struggle to move across to another Super League club, as a clause for being a home-grown player would mean any interested parties in Rugby League would have to pay Wakefield a sizeable compensation package. This has led to Kershaw considering his options in Rugby Union.
This story also highlights Rugby League's failures once again, as yet another talented young athlete could be lured away from the sport to a rival code due to the completely abhorrent financial security offered to young players in Rugby League.
I recently caught up with Bradford born Lee Kershaw to find out more, here's what he said to GRM SPORT
On his early grassroots development
" I started playing Rugby Union, I've not actually played Rugby League for that long! I played Union for Bingley and West Yorkshire but I later switched to League when I was 14 and played for Keighley Albion, I also played a few games for the age above at Eastmoor Dragons, it was during my time at Keighley Albion where I was spotted by a Wakefield Scout and signed for the Academy.
On whether recent events have made him regret his early switch from Union to League
" No, no regrets,. I have developed well playing League and I have worked with great coaches, Dave Winter helped me a lot, and the coaches at Wakefield have been great with me.
On his best memory playing for Wakefield Trinity
" My best memory has to be my Super League debut against Leeds. Scoring a try 15 minutes into my debut was amazing, as soon as I scored, I thought, that's my job done! Then I remembered we still had a lot more rugby to play!
" My debut could have gone horribly wrong too, because I jammed in and created an overlap, so Leeds almost scored, but fortunately they knocked on, I ended up with the ball and raced over to score the try on the other end of the pitch!
On turning down a new contract at Wakefield and working for Hermes as a courier
" I have always worked part-time, I was working behind the bar on weekends but since being furloughed I needed extra cash to get by, so I called a few friends and one of my mates put me in touch with Hermes.
"I initially went for a job at dominoes as a delivery driver but they turned me down saying they don't need any more drivers! Shortest interview I have ever had!
" I've been working for Hermes delivering parcels for 5 weeks now.
On whether the RFL and Super League are doing enough to retain home-grown talent
" I'm not sure what it's like at other clubs, and I have not been around long having only played 6 Super League games. I don't want to sound ungrateful because I am very grateful for the opportunities I have been given, and I do enjoy being a professional athlete, but at the same time, I have trained hard for 4 years and expected a little bit more in terms of a contract to help me get by.
“I work 5 or 6 days a week at Hermes and earn reasonably good money, and I am sure there are other young players who are taking second jobs to be able to pay for bills and get to training etc. When I was not able to drive I used to have to get 3 trains to training every day and the same on the way back, and this is why I had to take the second job
On whether he could see a future in Rugby League following a potential spell in Union
" Never say never, it all depends on my circumstances at the time, we'll have to wait and see, but the clubs I have spoken to in Rugby Union seem happy enough, especially with the deals they have put on the table for me, but these would not start until my contract finishes with Wakefeld, before then I want the opportunity to go and play as many super league games as possible.