Well done to Year 9 students Zachary Baxter and Seb Burnett, who have recently been selected to compete for the U14s East Northants Rugby team. After five rigorous training sessions with regional coaches, Zachary and Seb were chosen as part of a 23-player squad, showcasing their dedication and skill.

In their recent matches against Peterborough and Huntingdon, both boys made significant contributions coming off the bench, helping secure a 26-19 victory. Zachary, playing as Scrum-Half, and Seb, as Flanker, demonstrated their teamwork on the field.

Both students currently play for Kettering Rugby Club and will be representing the club on a tour of the East of England over the Easter weekend. They also have a potential fixture ahead in a county game for East Northants on the 25th of April against Bedfordshire.

Zach said, ‘I started playing rugby when I was 4 or 5 years old as my dad used to play. I joined the Old Northamptonians Rugby Club and then transferred to Kettering when I was in Year 7 to progress in my game. I enjoy playing rugby as it is a social team sport and is good for your well-being. My ambition is to play professionally in the future. The player I admire most at the moment is Antoine Dupont, the French professional rugby union player.’

Seb said, ‘I’ve been playing since I was very young and joined Kettering Rugby Club when I was 6 or 7 years old. We train once a week on a Wednesday and play a game on Sundays. I aspire to play professionally when I’m older and would love to play for England. I admire an English rugby union player called Henry Pollack who plays for Northampton Saints and the English national team.’

We wish Zachary and Seb the best of luck in their upcoming matches and future endeavours.  Your stories are a testament to the power of ambition and aspiration, and your engagement in the sport is truly inspiring.