Jack

Hull FC Athlete

Current sporting discipline

Rugby league

How and why did you get into this sport?

I’ve been playing rugby union since 2010 and quickly fell in love with it. As for rugby league, this is my first season playing this code. My agent set me up with this opportunity, and the benefits and potential for growth were too good to pass up.

What has been your biggest recent battle with training?

Some of my biggest battles with training were in 2021, when I made my debut on the HSBC Sevens World Series. At the time, I was a semi-pro athlete balancing work, training, and travel — trying to find a rhythm that allowed me to chase my full athletic potential without losing touch with reality.

Hard work paid off, and now I’m living what I used to dream about — but with a new set of challenges. I’m currently dealing with an adductor strain and haven’t been able to train on-pitch for just over a week. I’m working hard on rehab while fighting off feelings of uselessness and the urge to rush my return — knowing that doing so might mean coming back too soon and risking a setback that could start the process all over again.

If we were to open your diary from the last week, what would it say?

With my current injury, I’ve made a conscious effort to prioritise recovery and mental health on my days off. I’ve been going on light walks to wild swimming spots around Hull and in the Peak District — getting out into nature for both the mental benefits of being away from my phone and alone with my thoughts, and the physical benefits of still getting my steps in and using cold water therapy to aid my recovery.