Donaghy looks set for a Super career in game
IN THE THIRD IN A REGULAR SERIES OF FEATURES ON THIS YEAR’S SPORT NEWCASTLE RISING STARS OF SPORT AWARD WINNERS, SAM BLACKLOCK TALKS TO RUGBY LEAGUE PROSPECT ALEX DONAGHY
A MORPETH youngster has the Super League in his sights after representing England on the international stage.
Sixteen-year-old rugby league player Alex Donaghy has seen his burgeoning on-field career take off since he first joined up with Cramlington Rockets.
Last year he became a member of Newcastle Thunder’s Under-16 Academy set-up and Leeds Rhinos’ Under-16s’ squad.
A pupil at Morpeth’s King Edward VI School, Donaghy was named North East Under-15 Player of the Year in 2016 and Under-16s’ Player of the Year last year.
He can play either at stand-off or full-back and was selected for the Thunder Academy under-16 team a year young – but played every game.
Donaghy has also been invited to train with England Youth and was selected to face Wales at Cardiff last September.
The talented youngster has been playing rugby for four years after following in the footsteps of his two older brothers.
He said: “I saw an advertisement for a rugby camp and my parents took me along to have a go, that is where it began.”
Donaghy has represented England at under-15 level against Wales and added: “I was over the moon to originally have been nominated by my club to go to the trials.
“To have made it through the selection process was a great honour and a proud moment.
“To stand with my team-mates – especially with one of my closest friends Nathan Clemmitt – and sing the national anthem was a proud moment I will never forget.”
On his experience with Leeds Rhinos, Donaghy said: “It was really inspiring.
“The facilities were exceptional and it has encouraged me to work harder and achieve my dream of becoming a professional Super League rugby league player.
“It also helped me fly the flag for rugby league from the North East in the heartlands, but it was a great experience and I am very proud of what I managed to achieve there.”
He added: “I was proud to win the North East under-15 award as there are a lot of good players here in the North East.”
Donaghy also bagged four tries in the inaugural Jean Galia Cup in France with Cramlington Rockets.
He went on: “It was very satisfying as the team we played thought they were going to beat us comfortably as they were unbeaten in their domestic league.
“The first try settled my nerves but the fourth try was the icing on the cake and rounded off a great team performance.”
As well as that trophy, Donaghy won the League Leaders’ Shield, the North East Cup and the North East Grand Final with the Rockets.
Donaghy is one of 12 2018 winners of Sport Newcastle’s Rising Stars of Sport Award and was nominated by Adam Houston, Community Programme and Community Development Officer at Newcastle Thunder:
Houston said: “I nominated Alex to recognise his achievements so far but also to acknowledge his continuing commitment and effort to always be better.
“As an under-15 player he represented our Academy in every game last season despite being a year younger than most of the players he played against – and held his own.
“Alex is always striving to improve and is at training early every week to work on his own personal extras.
“It is his desire and hunger for the game which has seen him progress to international honours in his age group.
“He has picked up Cramlington Rocket’s Coaches Player of the Year two years running, was awarded Players’ Player of the Year at under13 level and featured in the Rockets’ Team of the Year for four successive seasons.
“Alex has a lot of potential as well as a really mature attitude and a great work ethic.
“As long as he applies himself and continues to work hard there is no reason why he cannot play Super League one day – hopefully for Newcastle Thunder!”
Thunder General Manager and Cramlington Rockets’ under-16 coach Jordan Robinson said: “We are so very proud of Alex and his family.
“They have all made a big commitment, particularly when Alex had to travel to Leeds every week for training – so to see him recognised as one of the finest talents the region has means a lot to everyone involved in his journey so far.
“There is a long way to go but there is no reason why Alex cannot make it at the highest level.”