In the latest of our Hull FC Academy Player In Focus pieces, brought to you in association with G&J Staffing, we catch up with forward Ryan Dearing to discuss his time so far with the Academy, playing against the Australian Schoolboys, and for Hull FC Reserves.
Tell us about how you first got picked up by the City of Hull Academy.
I got picked up originally for the City of Hull Academy U16s from playing at Hull Wyke, did my two seasons there. I got let go for a year but got picked up for England Colleges and earned a new trial for the City of Hull Academy towards the end of the season.
They offered me a contract which obviously I took and it went from there. So I spent another season at the U19s level and now I’m part of the Hull FC Reserves set-up.
You mentioned you got selected for the England Colleges side – can you tell us a little bit more about that?
I was studying my A-Levels at St Marys at the time when I got put forward to play for the England Colleges side. When I got offered the contract for City of Hull Academy, I made the move to Bishop Burton. That also led me to get picked for the North of England side, and then also played against the Australian Schoolboys side at Kingston Park in their warm-up fixture ahead of their Yorkshire, Lancashire, and England Academies matches.
There were some big names who came over as part of that tour, some of which have already got NRL contracts to their name, so it was quite daunting. But it was a great experience to play against that type of side and play against that level of talent. For me, it was an honour to pull on and England shirt. They’re the matches that you want to be involved with at this stage of your career.
How are you coping with life away from the training ground at the moment during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I think it’s more of a mental challenge than anything. Obviously life was a lot easier when the gyms were open, but we’re allowed to exercise as much as we like now. As long as we get our recovery in and foam-rolling in at home, and doing all the exercises that you’re doing, it’s not too difficult.
I think it will bring out the best in people. It’s down to your attitude at the end of the day. It’s all about what you put into it – of you’re going to continue at the intensity that you normally would under normal circumstances, then that shows that you’re going to go further than someone who isn’t putting as much effort in at home.
You got the opportunity to start playing for Hull FC Reserves last season – how did you find that?
Playing for the Reserves was a big step-up for me. I had a few ups and downs last season with injuries and stuff, but I found a bit of form towards the end of the season and got picked to play against Halifax for the Reserves, scoring a try in my first game. It felt really good pulling on that Hull FC shirt for the first time, and it meant a lot to me personally.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt from during your time at the Hull FC Academy?
There are going to be obstacle so its about being resilient. There are situations where you’re going to get put down or set-backs. For example, I left the academy, but obviously got the chance to come back again so it’s about keeping your head in the right place and taking your opportunities.
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