First XV Captain Playing Professional Rugby

First XV Captain Playing Professional Rugby

Stephen Bannister, Captain of the College 1st Rugby Team, was selected at the start of the season to train with the Under 21 Academy at Warrington Wolves Rugby League Club. Since then he has been training on a weekly basis with the team and this Easter holidays he had the opportunity to play his first league game, having secured a position in the starting line-up.

Having played up to now in Rugby Union, in order to gain the maximum experience possible until the end of the season, Warrington Wolves decided that Stephen would be placed on loan to Blackpool Panthers on a temporary contract before returning to them next season.

Stephen's first match for the Blackpool Panthers was on Saturday and to his great delight he experienced a 'golden moment' during the game and scored. He then went on to receive the 'man of the match' award from the team's manager. His second match with the Panthers will be on Sunday at the Chris Moyle Stadium in Featherstone, Yorkshire.

Paul Goodwin, Director of the College Rugby Academy commented, 'since joining the School, Stephen has always been focused on developing his rugby skills and performed well throughout the rugby season. During the recent sevens season, at the Christ College Brecon Sevens Tournament he secured ten tries in four matches and contributed significantly to the game Ellesmere won against Millfield. As the First XV Team Captain he now deserves to do well in league rugby and he is the first Ellesmere College rugby playing pupil who has been paid to play rugby whilst still at school. We all wish him well with his evolving professional career.' .

 

 

 

 

 

1st May 2007  Back to News