Hard work, determination, and passion have paid off for Alfie Woods, who has been named Hull KR Academy Player of the Season. As part of the Hull KR Development Academy, Alfie has taken the opportunity to push himself on and off the pitch.
The recognition came during the Hull KR End of Season Awards Night, attended by thousands of supporters. “I was nervous to go up,” Alfie shared. “It was a really nice feeling as I had worked hard. When I started playing for the academy I had aimed towards it, but I never expected it.”
Rugby has been a part of Alfie’s life since he was four. That passion for the game is what drew him to the Development Academy here at Wilberforce. “It was an obvious choice.” Alfie added, “The teachers understand that playing rugby is my priority and the training is planned around classes with plenty of time to get my college work done.” But rugby hasn’t come easy to Alfie. “When I started playing at the college in December, I didn’t feel good enough, but the lads and the college helped me build my confidence and the team helped me settle in.”
Playing for the Academy has helped Alfie earn opportunities with the KR Reserves team “It was hard to wrap my head around,” he reflected, “but I was always learning from them.” Alfie went on to explain that some of the players are often from the first team recovering from injury.
Alfie noted that in the Development Academy “You always have someone to support you, whether it’s the team or the teachers, but it does take time to develop.”
