I knew I wanted to be an RL star when I was seven years old
Last updated 11:46, Thursday, 09 October 2008
JAMES Donaldson knew his sporting destiny when he was barely out of short trousers.
“I told my mam when I was seven or eight that I was going to be a professional rugby player,” he revealed. “It seemed like a joke then. But it’s a dream that has come true.”
Less than a decade after his prophecy, the west Cumbrian teenager has the rugby league world at his feet, or more precisely, in his hands.
Courted by most of the top Super League clubs, he opted in January to join Bradford Bulls, one of a rare breed to sign a three-year professional contract at 16.
Steve McNamara had made him feel wanted, the Bulls boss even turning up for a Wath Brow Under-16 game against Kells to watch the youngster in action.
James knew for certain last year that he was destined for Yorkshire when spending three days training with the Bulls’ first-team squad.
He stayed with fellow teenage forward Sam Burgess, who was already making his mark in Super League. And Burgess had a big impact on the Cleator Moor kid.
“I was 16 at the time and he was 18,” James said. “He wasn’t quite a Great Britain player then but was one of the youngest in Super League.
“He showed me what life was like as a full-time rugby league player. I liked all the players. They made me feel comfortable and were down to earth. I’d known them an hour and they felt like good mates.”
Donaldson learned his trade at Wath Brow, the amateur club that has spawned so much professional talent over the past decade. And he took to training virtually from the first time he picked up a rugby ball.
“I just enjoyed doing it,” he explained. “I trained every night for Wath Brow and loved being around the environment. I got to know everyone at the club. There’s none better for amateur rugby.”
As a young Hornet, he went on to score four tries in three appearances for England Under-15s and 16s, and also helped Whitehaven School Year 11s to a national title, despite being a year younger than most of his team-mates.
His last-gasp try in the Carnegie Champion Schools final, crashing over from 20-metres out, levelled the scores against a Hull school, Haven pro Gregg McNally converting to ensure the title returned to Cumbria.
Moving away from family is no mean feat at 16, especially in to the competitive environment of a Super League club. James now lives in private digs run by Bradford’s former kit man.
He is thought to be their only youngster that has made such a move away from home.
And if he’s been homesick, it has not shown in his early performances for the Bulls.
The loose-forward has enjoyed a dream start to his Bradford career, averaging more than a try-a-game for their Under-18s.
He made headlines just one month in to his full-time pro career, in August, shortly after leaving school.
The injury-hit Bulls secured special dispensation from the RFL to include the 16-year-old in their squad for a big Super League clash with west Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos at Headingley.
James did not play, but his call-up at all was an early indicator of where his career is heading.
Yet he is not getting carried away by his early successes, pointing out what he has to achieve to break through to Super League.
“There are 60 players above me trying to get in the team,” he said. “You’ve just got to fight it out for your chance. Everyone wants to be in the first-team.
“I’ve been down there a couple of months and it has flown in. I want to make the first-team as soon as I can, pick up more experience when I get my chance and try to push on to better things. That’s my biggest goal.”
Just turned 17, he is currently recharging his batteries at home, a few weeks ahead of starting pre-season training with the Bulls.
With Bradford travelling to Haven for a February 1 friendly, it would be no surprise to see him make a dream first-team debut on his local turf.
James had a spell on the Recre scholarship scheme before turning to Bradford and confirmed he would like to feature, adding a note of caution.
“Whether I play will be to do with pre-season, which starts for me on November 5,” he said. “I like to go down and watch a game now and again at Whitehaven, they are my home club – and Wath Brow games.
“I’ve got a few weeks off and I’m spending time with my family and girlfriend. I’m relaxing and clearing my head and getting ready for next season.”
It could be a big one for the Cumbrian Bull.
