A £1,000 UKSE bursary for a teenage rugby star has been described as a “God-send” as the young player juggles the demands of a hectic lifestyle.
Kelyn Jude-Hobbs is doing GCSEs at Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School in Cwmbran – and at the same time travelling around the UK playing and training with a busy schedule.
Kelyn, who is 15, has already represented Wales in rugby league several times, and is now on the pathway to joining the Academy at top English side Hull Kingston Rovers and is aiming at a long-term training contract with the prestigious club. It means that Kelyn and father Mark travel to Hull weekly, and also need to get to many matches around the UK and the costs of this are considerable.
Tata Steel’s subsidiary UKSE launched the bursary scheme this year to mark 50 years of supporting communities in Wales and around the UK with targeted investment aiming to create lasting jobs, and providing high-quality workspace for businesses to grow and develop.
“It has been a God-send,” said Mark.
“It has paid for many of our trips and we have also been able to buy a GPS tracker for Kelyn to wear to chart his movements during a match.”
Kelyn was talent-spotted when a video of one of his performances for Torfaen Tigers reached the scouts at HKR who expressed a keen interest in the young stand-off playmaker and invited him for trials. He has now pulled on the HKR shirt three times to represent the historic club.
His ultimate career goal, he says, is to play at the very top of Rugby League in the ferociously competitive Australian NRL.
“I would love to play in Australia eventually and make a name for myself there. I want to overcome all the challenges in front of me and make a big impact on the sport.”
Michelle Noble UKSE Regional Executive said she was delighted to be able to support Kelyn at this crucial stage of his career.
“He is a talented young man with plenty of confidence and ambition and a very supportive family. His situation was perfect for our Bursary scheme which has helped many people in Wales and around the UK.
“I will follow his career with interest and wish him every success as he meets the challenges ahead.”
