England U19 Rugby Euro Championship

I am the very proud parent of a young man who has given his all to a  sport he loves.  He has just been selected to represent England in the    Rugby League European Championships this coming August held in Serbia. I have set this page up to help fund the travel, accommodation and kit costs

Let me introduce my son; Benjamin Bradshaw.

Ben started playing rugby at the age of 11, so a bit of a later starter, he didn't really know much about the sport but he wanted to join the school team. We didn't know much about rugby either, to be honest i had only just got my head around football!! 

So off we went to find a local amuture rugby team. 

Within a season of joining he was team captain and held that position for many years. Ben soon became the players player and parents player choice at award nights, he has total respect from his peers, coaches and other parents. 

Ben has a strong work ethic and is totally dedicated on and off the pitch. Ben will build up others and truly is a sportsman inside and out.  

If you could bottle passion, Ben has endless supply, he is not naturally talented and has over the years wished and hoped for opportunities that never came his way and at the end of each season a little piece of my heart broke for him, but he never gave up. 

Ben turned up to each training session with the same enthusiasm and passion.  Ben would cycled 6 miles each way in the rain and you would never once heard him complain. 

Ben finally got an opportunity in 2016 to represent his county; Yorkshire, but an unfortunate tackle in a league game resulted in a serious injury requiring surgery so that meant he was out of the Yorkshire team.

In 2017 Ben made his debut  playing prop in the NCL age 17, playing for Myton Warriors first team against top of the league side Sidal, he earnt MOM. 

Ben came back fighting in 2017 and earned a place back on the Yorkshire Team. 

Early in 2018 Ben was invited to try out for England Lions with the hope of gaining a place to play in the European Championships.  Ben has successfully gain a place. 

A little about Benjamin off the pitch.

Ben had a paper round from the age of 13, he would leave the house at 7am and complete 3 rounds before school. As soon as Ben turned 16 he got a second part time job in hospitality working on game days in a big stadium. Ben then secured a third part time job working from 6am on a Saturday morning in a famous sandwich shop, he gave up his paper round. Ben then swapped his hospitality job for a more regular job in a restaurant.  He certainly is not workshy.

Ben secured two unconditional offers for university this coming september, he plans on going into sports coaching and performance. He aims to be able to help young people in the future.

I could talk for hours about how much Ben is a lovely person inside and out and he genuinely deserves this opportunity. As a parent I could not be any prouder. 

It would be amazing if we could fundraise the cash needed to send him on a once in a lifetime opportunity and for him have his dreams come true. 

Photo credits: GRM Grass Roots Media.