Hull FC head off today for a three-day training camp at the home of the Football Association with their numbers swelled by three rising stars. Teenagers Jack Downs, Jansin Turgut and Brad Fash have been invited by head coach Lee Radford to join the first team players on their second camp of pre-season.
Unlike their trip to an army barracks in the first week of pre-season, Hull's players will see the emphasis switch from fitness to skill as Radford continues to reshape his side's philosophies and style. For Hull's three Under-19s players, who are part of the club's ASSE Scholarship scheme at Bishop Burton College, the week represents a chance to further their growing reputations.
"I'm looking forward to going and it's nice I've been recognised for doing well by being selected to go. It's going to be a good opportunity," explained Turgut.
The second-row has been earning rave reviews and recently celebrated selection to the England Academy squad for 2014. "I won't be doing anything different this week, I don't think you should approach it like that. I'll be getting my head down and working hard," he said. "The more time I spend with the first team the more comfortable it gets. I'll be taking note of the senior guys like Gareth Ellis, Danny Houghton and Richard Horne and picking up as much as I can."
Hull are currently blessed with a young back-row to savour. Joining Turgut on this week's camp is loose-forward Brad Fash, a 17-year-old former West Hull player, and 18-year-old second-row Jack Downs, who like Turgut is part of the England Academy squad.
The trio all attended Hull's gruelling army camp back in the first week of November, with their fitness levels impressing Radford. Now an opportunity presents itself for them to shine on the rugby field, something ex-Hessle High school pupil Fash insists he's keen to do.
"It's going to be a really good week and I'm really excited about going," says Fash. "The army camp was great but tough, this will be different, but it's great being in with the first team again.
"When you get these chances it makes you want to progress even more. That's why we are here and that's the aim, to get to being in the first team squad in the future. I'm doing everything possible to get in the right shape and make the progression so I can get a first team deal."
