Doncaster Rugby Club

Steve Salvin’s dedication to his job as Academy Manager as the promotion of one of his charges gains promotion to the first team.

18 year old Tom Doughty has made the transition from Academy to first team today, and the 5’  8” hooker knows he has his work cut out for him.

“Steve Boden is a great player, physical and aggressive around the pitch. Its my job know to work hard and be the same player” Doughty told us, “Simon Jenkins came in from Exeter and I’ve seen him play, he’s also really good”.

Its  a tall order for the 18 year old, who began his rugby at Dinnington at the late age of 14. His ambition has been to make the grade to get a first team contract for the past year he has spent being coached at Castle Park.

“You see players like Anthony Carter and Wes Davies train and you realise this is the time to concentrate” Doughty enthused “ All the work I did to get to this position now has to be doubled as I fight to get myself involved in games”.

The final question we as Tom was, what effect has the time in the Academy had on your game, he answered “ I think I’ve changed the way I think about the game, and that my improvement has been balanced across all areas. I’m hoping to repay Lynn Howells faith in my abilities”.