Ashton Sixth Form student hoping to follow in same footsteps as rugby league icon

An Ashton Sixth Form student is hoping to follow in the same footsteps as one of the most iconic names in rugby league.

Jack Sinfield, son of Leeds Rhinos legend and charity fundraiser Kevin Sinfield OBE, is currently enjoying his first year of academic study at Ashton, where he has opted to take A-Levels in Business, Economics and Maths.

However, the 17-year-old has to juggle his time between studying and making the trip across the pennines to train with the Rhinos, as the hot prospect has been promoted to the first team and is now on a mission to establish himself as a first team regular during the coming Super League season, which kicks off this Thursday (10th) when 2021 Grand Final champions St Helens host Catalans Dragons at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Leeds will then start their campaign at home to Warrington Wolves on Saturday at 12.30pm; the first game to be televised on Channel 4 in a move designed to increase the sport's appeal amongst a wider audience. 

Speaking to Ashton's media team, Jack said:  "I found it difficult at first to cope with doing both my work and rugby but I’ve gotten used to it now and I’ve been able to find a balance so that I have enough time to have some spare time to do things I want to do."

Sheridan Lewis, Assistant Principal of Aspirations and Achievement, and a supporter of Jack's pathway, commented: ""This is quite an amazing achievement for someone of his age. He is playing top level, elite rugby whilst also managing to study for 3 A levels. His debut with Leeds Rhinos is inspiring."

Jack's father, Kevin, became a fans' favourite during his time at Headingley, becoming the all-time leading points scorer with 3,967 during 521 appearances.

However, since his retirement, Sinfield has become synonymous with charity endeavours and has hit the back pages on a number of occasions due to his efforts to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease - something his former teammate Rob Burrow suffers with.

In December 2020 Sinfield, 41, ran seven marathons in seven days and raised £2 million.

Then, just under one year later, Sinfield ran between Leicester Tigers' home ground to Leeds' Headlingley, covering approximately 101 miles in under 24 hours. By December, the campaign had raised over £2 million.