Sam Robinson

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Current employment  

Why did you join Stourbridge

 

Toughest opponent and why

 

Best sporting achievement

Favourite sport, apart from rugby

 

Favourite food

 

What’s on your i-pod ?

 

Favourite film

 

Favourite TV programme

 

Most embarrassing moment

 

Ambitions

Sam's interview with Scribbler - October 2006

Educated: Bromsgrove School, currently Bath University (Exercise & Sports Science)

So Sam is a fly half, but what about other positions? "No, first training session as a ten year old mini player at Bromsgrove I went to No. 10 and that has been it ever since." That's how I like my fly halves. He's not made a bad fist of it either. Any stand off heroes? "I guess Jonny Wilkinson, but really I would watch anyone and try and pick the best bits out of their game. It didn't matter what nationality they were."

At the start of his career it was Sam's size that held him back, but education at Bromsgrove School and filling out at the age of sixteen enabled him to step up the levels, through Worcestershire, North Midlands and the Midlands, and represent his country at 16 level. "I was in the 'A' squad, but played for England twice against Wales, at home at Widnes Rugby League ground and away at Pontypridd."

He started to be noticed by premiership clubs and interest developed from Worcester who monitored his progress. "My rugby teacher - Mr Mullen - was well known in Midland rugby circles and had helped me through Worcestershire and Midlands' level. By the time I got to Under 18 level Worcester were knocking at the door." Sam had a major setback when he moved up from 16s, losing most of the first season to injury. "It wasn't such a problem in retrospect. I missed most of that difficult 'step up' year and managed to get into the 18 Group the following season." Sam recalled.

"We went to the European Championships in Italy. This was a major event. Twenty four teams were there and England beat Romania and Scotland before losing to France in the final." Following this success Worcester offered Sam an Academy contract and an U21 Cap was to follow. This wasn't the first time Sam had left Bromsgrove for he played two seasons at Stourton under Steve Williams as an U13 and U14.

Worcester's interest made Sam re-assess his career plans. "At this stage I put further education on the back burner and decided to have a year playing rugby full time. And then a second year.." But towards the end of last season Sam came on loan to Stour and liked what he saw. "Things had moved on from my early teenage years but I felt at home straight away. I then decided to finally go to University - I'd had two 'gap' years already - and started studying at Bath in September." Fresher Sam admitted that visiting the Roman Baths has not been high on his list of priorities; that can wait. He's also found it difficult to play rugby at University. "With hard league games for Stour on a Saturday I really don't feel up to another game on Wednesday in the BUSA Championships. So I've given it a miss."

Sam had struck up an instant half back partnership at Stourbridge with TomRichardson and the team has certainly had its moments already. "We're obviously disappointed with the last three results - the first two could have gone either way - but on another day we could have won all of them. We went to Esher - unbeaten this season - and led them at half time. I felt we went toe to toe and competed well."

Like last programme's subject Alistair Bressington, Sam is also a talented cricketer. OK, Sam may not have taken a catch in a Test match, but he played for Worcestershire Academy as a batsman and was no mean hockey player either. "I can't keep up both rugby and cricket at the moment but I hope to go back to cricket when my rugby days are over."

Further information