Callum Rutland is this week’s Hull FC Academy Player in Focus as we profile some of the Black & Whites’ future stars throughout pre-season, in association with academy partners G&J Staffing.
Rutland is one of several academy players to make the journey to the Centre of Excellence from York, showing the measure of area covered by Hull FC’s Academy.
The hooker, who can also operate in the halves or at loose forward, is another of the latest crop to be recruited by the academy.
The hard-hitting youngster offers versatility, and he hopes that can help him work towards building a career in Super League.
Tell us about where you started your career.
I started off playing at Heworth and played there all the way up to U16s before I was picked up at by the City of Hull Scholarship.
How did you find growing up in York as a Rugby League player?
It’s not a big Rugby League town at the moment. But you’re actually in a good position as an amateur club because you’re right in the middle of all the teams from Hull, and the teams from West Yorkshire, so you get a good mix of opposition.
Who did you support being from that part of the world?
I supported Leeds when I was younger!
Which players do you currently look up to in Super League?
I admire some of the hookers we have in Super League at the moment. Danny Houghton obviously has a fantastic work rate so he is a big one for me – him being at Hull gives me a position to aspire towards in the future.
And finally, how do you feel now playing under the Hull FC badge?
We have a much better identity under the Hull FC badge, and I think its fair to say the pathway to first team level is a lor clearer now. With the reserves added in too, it’s much clearer to see how we can make it up to Super League level one day with the right steps in place along the way.
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