EVERYONE REMEMBERS their first day at big school. The nerves, the brand-new uniform and, quite literally, looking up to the older kids who run the show in the playground.
And joining a Premiership side's senior academy is a largely similar experience for the hundreds of young men dipping their toes into the big time every year.
Rubbing shoulders with England heroes they have long dreamed about emulating is bound to be at least slightly intimidating, even for the most cocksure of talented rugby-playing teenagers. But it's something they have to take into their stride at this stage of their careers.
"On the first day I was thinking, 'oh this is going to be quite daunting"," explains Sale Sharks winger Albert Bradshaw, 18.
"But as the days go on, you get close and it's like playing rugby with any team like at my school (Stockport Grammar). You build close relationships."
Bradshaw was speaking at the RPA Academy Induction day held earlier this year at Rugby School to show new senior academy players in 2023-24 what's in store and how to deal with it.
Unlike their footballing peers, rugby's newest professionals are by no means in for immediate riches, yet it still requires a mindset change as an old hobby becomes their new day job.
"I think it's great to be in the academy, it's my job and I love it," adds Bradshaw.
"It is working but I don't find it to be a chore. I enjoy it and I think it's great. You learn from some of the best players in the world and also get to play alongside them."
While Bradshaw has been in the Manchester area since he started playing as an U6 at Macclesfield rugby club, his new colleague Tye Raymont has moved from Yorkshire Academy to sign with Sale.
This story is from the December 2023 edition of Rugby World.
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This story is from the December 2023 edition of Rugby World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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