Ned McCormack, Year 13, signs for the Rhinos and makes the rugby headlines!

Our very own Ned McCormack’s code switch has made the rugby headlines.

Following his superb performance for England in the U18 Six Nations festival – where he was Man of The Match in the Eng v France game and scored a try against Ireland – it was not surprising that all eyes were on him. But his decision to switch to League and sign with Leeds Rhinos has jolted the world of rugby this week. You only have to read the headlines to understand what a valuable asset Ned is to any team; something we have known at The Grove since he joined Brontё, aged just 9!  Click on the headlines below to read what the rugby world are saying about Ned….

Leeds snap up England rugby union academy international

Rhinos sign union starlet McCormack

Leeds Rhinos secure junior signing coup of England Rugby Union U18 international

Leeds Rhinos beat top rugby union clubs to signing of academy international 

Leeds Rhinos snap up rugby union starlet

Leeds Rhinos hold off rugby union attention to capture academy international

In an interview about Ned’s signing, Woodhouse Grove’s Head of Rugby, Joe Bedford, was asked, “Woodhouse Grove has a great reputation for turning out players into both codes. What is it about them and the training down there?”. His response:

“I just think it’s the commitment from the staff that does it. We’ve got a brilliant set of coaches, all the way from age 6 up to age 18…it’s the commitment that the staff give and the culture we have created over, I would say, 50 years…It’s great to be working at a school like that, which puts rugby on the map. It’s not a massive school, we don’t have a huge amount of boys – 50-60 in a year group, so we punch above our weight too – but it just goes to show, with a bit of commitment and a bit of focus, what you can achieve in certain sports.”

To see the full interview, click here 

Incidentally, Ned’s brother Fergus is also signed to the Rhinos. With two McCormacks leading the charge, we cannot wait to see the impact!

I am my unlocked potential.

I am Grovian