Brad Fash says he is enjoying helping some of his younger team mates develop as players.
Despite being just 25 years of age, Fash will be one of Hull FC’s most senior players at Odsal Stadium in Sunday’s pre-season friendly with Bradford Bulls.
A whole host of youngsters, including academy and reserves players, will be involved in the trial match. For many of whom, it will be their first senior appearance for the Black & Whites.
And Fash, who will captain the side for the first time in his career this weekend, will relish the opportunity.
“It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s a pre-season game or not, I will always play to the best of my ability,” Fash said in his pre-match press conference.
“I’m not sure there’s more of a sense of responsibility, but you’re always tipping up your team mates and you probably find that you’re tipping the younger lads up that little bit more.
“I do enjoy that side of things, helping my mates out.
“To be fair, all of the young lads have been fantastic in pre-season. They’ve all stepped up.
“I think it’s helped that, for the most-part, they’ve been injury free. We’ve been missing some senior blokes through pre-season through their injuries and I think some of the young boys have done a really good job of filling in and carrying out their roles properly – that’s been a massive help for us in pre-season.”
Along with the ‘Rising Stars’ group, which includes the likes of Marcus Walker and Aidan Burrell, who made cameo appearances in Super League for Brett Hodgson’s side in 2021, the next generation of talent will have the opportunity to prove themselves this weekend.
Fash has been in that position himself. As a graduate of the Hull FC Academy, he knows exactly what it takes to succeed.
“We’ve all been there as a teenager playing in a pre-season friendly. First impressions do last and I think that’s something the young lads will need to bear in mind going into Sunday,” Fash explained.
“It’s an opportunity for us to put our best foot forwards and this is what really gets your season started.
“The season starts long before Round One and all of our pre-season games are just a stepping stone before that first league game.”
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