A Harrogate rugby star of the future has enjoyed a successful debut for Yorkshire after helping them to an impressive win over Harlequins.
Playing at both fly-half and centre, Ashville pupil Seb Gaspar-Dunn scored one try and kicked two conversions as his Yorkshire Rugby Academy team turned over their London rivals in a thrilling 32-19 victory.
Having started playing at the age of just six, Seb is now a member of the Harrogate RUFC Under-16 squad and was picked to represent the academy side at county level after performing well on the Yorkshire Developing Player Pathway – a scheme designed to highlight young rugby talent.
The Yorkshire Rugby Academy prides itself on giving young players a route into a professional rugby career and is the only one licensed by England Rugby in the county. Seven of the squad who travelled to Loughborough University for the Harlequins match play at Harrogate RUFC.
Seb, who lives at Whixley, said:
“It was a real honour to be selected for the Yorkshire Rugby Academy and it was all the more special that we were able to come away with such an impressive victory.
“From a personal point of view, it was also special for me to be able to help the team by scoring a try and kicking two conversions.”
Last summer, 16-year-old Seb supported a mammoth fundraising campaign for motor neurone disease after his godfather Ian Flatt was diagnosed with the illness.
Dedicating his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to the challenge, they raised thousands for the Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND.
Seb’s dad, Paul, added:
“Seb has been playing rugby since he was six years old and has developed his skills and his love for the game thanks to the fantastic support he has been given by the coaches at both Harrogate RUFC and at school.
"The PE team at Ashville College, in particular Head of Rugby Gary Mercer and Laura Davis, have been particularly influential.”
Head of Ashville, Rhiannon Wilkinson, said:
“Ashville prides itself on developing the sporting talents of its pupils and we are delighted to see Seb earn county recognition for his rugby ability.
“It is always a thrill to see our pupils excelling on the regional and national stage – both on and off the pitch - and Seb’s achievements will no doubt inspire others to continue striving for their sporting dreams.”
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