Kyle sets sights on becoming a ‘key man’
Bracknell RFC v Maidenhead RFC
Having only arrived three weeks ago from Northern Ireland, new signing Kyle Beattie has already set his sights on becoming a ‘key man’ for Maidenhead RFC this season and says stepping onto the pitch to represent the club in their clash with Bracknell was one of his greatest career achievements to date.
Aged 24-years-old, Beattie signed for Maids from Omagh Academicals who play in Division 2C of the All-Ireland League.
On Saturday, he was brought on to deputise at inside-centre after Niall Crosley came off injured late in the first half, and while it was an initial ‘shock to the system’ to be playing somewhere different to his usual position of outside-half, Beattie said he managed to settle quickly thanks to the players around him.
After the match, he told the Advertiser: “I came over three weeks ago from Omagh and was fortunate enough to start on the bench today. Put on through injury, I was on at 12 so it was a bit of a shock to the system but the boys around me made it very easy.
“I had 10 minutes of the first plus a good second half of rugby playing at 12 and then out-half, my natural position. I haven’t experienced
that before in my career before but, like I said, when you have good players around you, and good coaches on the sidelines, it’s easy.
“I was nervous last night and nervous in the changing room today aswell. But once you get on and get your first tackle in, you get to 100 per cent quickly. It was good to be thrown in the deep end.
“If you are nervous, you are wanting to prove something and want to go out and make a statement you know? I’m here for a minimum of two years and I would like to be a starter at out-half for Maidenhead. I think it’s a huge achievement to even get on today for the first team. It’s probably one of the best achievements of my rugby career to date.
“I would like to go on and be a real key man in the team this season.”
On his start to life under David MobbsSmith, Beattie added: “I love the way how he’s in charge. He might not speak a lot, but you know he’s the boss.
“I think he uses his coaches around him very well too. You’re not hearing the one voice all the time. Whenever he does speak, you listen. I think that is a great attribute for any coach.”