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Luke looks the part with Cardiff Blues’ Rugby Academy
At 18 years of age Luke Hamilton is hoping that his hard work with the academy team at Cardiff Blues will pay dividends and he can find himself continuing his dream of being a full-time professional rugby player.
Luke, who hails from Pembroke, has already played for Wales as a back row man, four times with the under 16s and six times for the under 18s, including four matches last campaign where he played in the Welsh team which beat Italy and Ireland at Llandovery, was successful in Scotland but lost to Wales at St Helens, in Swansea. He started in three of those games but came on as a replacement at half time against Italy, scoring a try as reward for all his efforts.
Rugby training linked with degree course
Luke lives in Cardiff and as well as his involvement at the Blues’ rugby academy he is also studying for a degree at the University of Glamorgan in Sports Development and Rugby Coaching. At 18 years of age he is the only Cardiff Blues youngster from Pembrokeshire and is in the first season of a two-year contract with the Blues and his immediate aim is to strive for selection for the Welsh under 20s squad, although it will be his first year at this level and still has another year after this. Luke told Radio Pembrokeshire Sport,
“I play for the Blues’ academy as they take on the other regions and I have recently played for them against Oxford and Cambridge Universities, plus Leeds and Worcester – and whenever other commitments allow I also play for Glamorgan Wanderers at the Memorial Ground, Ely. The Wanderers play in the Welsh Premiership, which is the section below the regional squad and allows me to gain valuable experience alongside other talented young players like Josh Navidi and Ben White.”
Hard work in training is paying off
The Blues academy squad trains five times each week at their palatial new set-up at The Vale development which is also used by the first team and the Welsh squad, and is sometimes to take part in sessions with the first team if there is a need to provide them with opposition.
“We start early at 7.30pm and on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays we work hard on the weights and in general fitness sessions, with Tuesdays devoted to skills. Wednesday is our designated rest day, unless we are specially called in, with a further training session on a Saturday when there are no matches.”
Ask Luke about his current fitness levels and he would say that they are higher than ever after participation in the pre-season ‘Strong Man’ sessions which included such fun activities as dragging sleds weighing 200kgs and huge tyres, lots of testing exercises and challenges which has seen Luke weigh in at a very strong 102kgs for his 6 feet 3 inch frame!
Disappointment turns to delight – and a near Lottery miss!
Luke was previously with the Scarlets for two years from under 16 and it was something of a disappointment for him when he was one of a number of players released from Parc y Scarlets. But as Luke said,
“I didn’t have time to feel down about it because when I was in Scotland I was approached by the Blues and asked to join them. I was naturally thrilled and it almost proved a perfect weekend because I also did the National Lottery and had the first five numbers out – but had 26 when I needed 28 to take the jackpot, which wasn’t won that weekend! My heart was pounding as the numbers came out but it gave me a few bob, though, and I knew I was joining the Blues as an added bonus for me!”
Looking forward
So what of the future for someone who has been involved in rugby for almost as long as he can remember?
“I would love to carry on playing at this level and then moving even higher, although I know it will be hard work,” said Luke. “I am ready for all that it takes and I realise that there is an element of luck in being in the right place at the right time and staying clear of injury – but I am ready to give it my all because other players from Pembroke, like Jonathan Thomas and Rob Appleyard, have gained success and it would be my dream to follow them.”
It is pleasing to report that Luke is a very focussed young man but very modest and unassuming at the same time. Having seen him play we can vouch for the fact that he real talent and willing to strive to achieve his goal – and we are confident that we will a great deal more about Luke Hamilton on the rugby field in the years to come!
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