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It's child's play for local hero Robinson
Back in the mid-1980s, an impish youngster from inner-city Leeds well remembers watching on in awe as stars from Leeds RLFC showed their faces at his local school.
His name? Jason Robinson. The visit of leading rugby league heroes such as ex-Leeds and Great Britain legend Garry Schofield to his former school – Cross Flatts Park Middle – left an indelible mark in the mind of the young West Yorkshire lad, who was destined for sporting greatness.
His school may have only been a few decent touch-kicks from Elland Road, but the oval ball was Robinson's destiny, thanks in no small apart to the passion of his former PE teacher, Dave Aspinall.
As well as being inspired by the visit of several big-hitters from the city's main rugby side, Aspinall helped the fledgling career of the diminutive scrum-half embark on the first small steps to glory in both codes of rugby, culminating in a never-to-be-forgotten November day late in 2003, when England lifted the Rugby World Cup in Sydney, with Robinson playing a starring role.
Rugby legend Robinson – who will embark on his first head coaching appointment at Sale Sharks this summer – popped into Leeds Corinthians RLFC recently to meet former mentor Aspinall for the first time in more than 20 years, in his roving role as an ambassador for the HSBC rugby festivals initiative, the world's largest schools-led programme.
It's aim is to encourage kids, particularly those in state schools with far from privileged backgrounds – something Robinson can certainly equate to – to take up the rugby creed, with a wide-eyed audience doting on his every word, just as he did when the likes of Schofield visited his old school many moons ago.
Robinson, now 34, told the YEP: "I started my rugby at Cross Flatts Park, and was around what would be seen as the poorer parts of Leeds, such as Chapeltown, Harehills, Beeston and Hunslet.
"So I started from a very humble beginning and, thankfully, rugby has taken me on to many, many great things.
"And if I can go on to play in three World Cup finals – and winning in one of them – and two Lions tours and everything else that I've done, it will give hope to these guys to think 'one day, maybe that can be me.'
I remember as a youngster the occasions when I had an opportunity to work with professional players. Now, you see how the kids respond to it, and it's a massive thing to them and something they don't forget very quickly.
I remember when Garry Schofield and (David) Creaser and the like came to my school, and it was a big deal for me. If they could present a trophy, it was a massive incentive. I remember the buzz about the place afterwards.
"I've still got pictures of Garry presenting things to me. They are memories I've still got and, hopefully, I can inspire the kids to go on and be the best they can be.
"Because I enjoy the coaching, the kids will pick up on that as well. Who knows, we may find the next Jason Robinson in one of these camps.
When I was a young lad, you didn't get opportunities very often to meet players. For them to be able to ask questions – I'm almost like a friend, they can ask me anything they want – is great for them, and hopefully I can give them the advice to make them the best they can be.
"Youngsters must have role models to look up to if they have ambitions and dreams of playing at some level. Even if they don't all go to the top, at least it's getting the kids out and active. Rugby kept me out of a lot of trouble when I was young, and working together as a team is good for discipline.
"I still remember playing rugby and being coached by David Aspinall. He was certainly a hard taskmaster, but he ignited my enthusiasm for the game."
Thoroughly enjoying putting something back into the game, Robinson added: When I finished playing, I started to think what I'd like to be involved with. And one of the things that was presented to me that I thought I'd enjoy was working with kids.
"Working with HSBC on this rugby festival programme is great. The kids are the future of the game, and if I can encourage them and get out there and help them with skills and enjoying their rugby, everybody's a winner.
"The main thing is to encourage them to go out there and give their best, and see where they can go.
"It's been great coming back to Leeds, working with the kids. You have to encourage people to be themselves. Part of being in a team is that there are characters. You do get a few cheeky ones, you get a few quiet ones, that's the make-up of any team. The great thing about the camps is that the youngsters can talk to me like any normal person."
The fact Robinson never played in the 13-a-side code at Headingley, plying his trade instead at city minnows Hunslet before taking a trans-Pennine path to trophy riches at Wigan is something that rankles with many a dyed-in-the-wool South Stander.
But despite not representing his home-town club in either league or union, and missing out to a certain degree, he is just happy the rugby heartbeat in Leeds appears to be beating vibrantly in what is traditionally a soccer-dominated city, with Rhinos and Carnegie flying high in their respective codes. Robinson said: "I didn't have the opportunity to do it (play for Leeds RLFC), although I wanted to. But somebody else got the nod.
"As a young lad, you want to represent your home town, and there's no better feeling. It was not to be, but there's no doubt now that Leeds Rhinos are one of the best teams in the world and it's great to see some many home-grown players here from Leeds, and I'm pleased for them.
"Then there's Neil Back at Leeds Carnegie. I've spoken to him and he's really enjoying it, and the players are responding well to him.
"He knows Leeds is a massive club – always has been. He was a very experienced player and is passing on his knowledge to the club – its future is in good hands."
Jason Robinson, an HSBC Lions ambassador, was speaking at an HSBC Rugby Festival at Corinthians RUFC in Leeds. For more information, please log on to www.lionsrugby.com
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