(WOODVILLE) For one Woodville rugby player, moving away from his home and school may be the opportunity of a lifetime.
Jacob Webster left for England Aug. 23 to pursue his dream of playing rugby professionally, by playing among the most elite players and coaches for his age group in the world at The Leys School in Cambridge.
“It’s honestly one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” he said, not the least of his considerations being that he may have to repeat a year in school back in Canada to go to university once he returns.
But in the end, the adventure was just too much for the talented young athlete to pass up.
“It’s going to be hard to move away from my family, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take for the opportunity,” he said, adding that he’ll be home for nine days over Christmas and friends and family are already planning visits.
“I want to look back and have no regrets.”
Knowing that he will be joining a team that has already bonded and basically taking someone’s position will be tough at first, he said, but on the flip side he added he is excited to become a part of a tight-knit group and meeting so many like-minded people.
“I’m nervous about fitting in with everyone, but I’m usually good with people, so it should be good.”
Beyond the personal relationships, the advanced level of rugby played in England is a challenge he is eager to face head-on.
Mr. Webster will be building on the momentum of an impressive showing at the Canadian Eastern Championship Finals in Truro, Nova Scotia in July, where he helped the Ontario U17 team capture the title over the Ontario U18 team 28-20. Not only did he help rally his team that was trailing 17-7 at the halfway mark, but he set himself apart with four tries throughout the game.
“I was relaxed the whole game and trying to bring the people on my team up,” he said.
“It’s when you don’t feel like there’s pressure on you, that’s when you play the best.”
With this accomplishment still fresh and keeping his confidence up, Mr. Webster will forge out on his own for the first time, at 17, and push himself to his athletic limit.
Mr. Webster’s biggest strength has always been his speed, but he said he knows as he moves up to higher levels of the game, he needs to expand his overall skills more and more to keep up with the competition. He has particularly worked hard on his footwork, like kicking, he said, but he is excited to keep upping his game.
“I’m looking forward to improving my tackling,” he said.
“All of those players in England, they tackle perfectly. It doesn’t matter how big you are, they can bring you down.”
While away, Mr. Webster will stay with the family of one of his teammates, whom he has yet to meet - though he did see him play at a previous tournament.
He said he is disappointed he will be missing what he hoped would be a second all-Ontario Championship with his Lindsay Rugby Club teammates, but said he’d be thinking about them and cheering them on from afar. On the plus side, he pointed out; he will be in peak condition for his high school rugby team in Fenelon Falls when he gets back next year.
Mr. Webster definitely won’t be leaving Canada without a little taste of home, he said.
“I’m going to bring my Canada jersey so I can gloat to the other guys.”
He will also carry with him a family ring.
“I find it gives me good luck,” he said.
With his mix of talent and determination, luck has nothing to do with it.