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Leigh Halfpenny, rugby player

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The Wales and Cardiff Blues rising star, Leigh Halfpenny, reveals his tips for succeeding in rugby and says "You have got to keep the self-belief that you're going to achieve that dream".

Be prepared to make sacrifices

Profile

Name:
Leigh Halfpenny

Born:
22 December 1988

From:
Swansea

Game:
Rugby Union

Club:
Cardiff Blues

Position:
Wing / full back

Achievements:

  • Selected for Wales squad for the autumn internationals series in 2008.
  • Wales debut - scored the opening penalty against South Africa, 8 November 2008.
  • Scored two tries against Canada, 15 November 2008.
  • Reebok Regional Championships trophy winner (2005-2006)

Rugby takes a lot of commitment and a lot of sacrifices. You've got to put your social life aside sometimes and go out for training and not miss a session. You also need the support of friends and family. I don't think I'd be here now if my family hadn't been around me to take me to training and keep me on track.

Skills for life

You get to meet a lot of new people which is good. Rugby also teaches you the skills needed to work as part of a team as well as the discipline involved in turning up to places on time. If you're five minutes late for training you'll get a big row, so you don't make that mistake again and you'll turn up fifteen minutes to half an hour early before training the next time.

Reap the rewards

Putting on that Welsh jersey and getting my first cap against South Africa, was a great occasion for myself and everyone that has supported me along the way. To have a decent game as well was very pleasing, and also to score against Canada was a great feeling.

Believe in your dream

If you've got a dream or an ambition in life, you've got to try as hard as you can to achieve it. You know that there may be upsets along the way, but you've got to overcome them and try your best to get back on track, and be committed. You have got to keep the self-belief that you're going to achieve that dream one day. I was hoping it would come sometime, and it has. All the hard work and commitment has paid off.


Keep persisting with it, work hard and, most of all, enjoy it.

Tom Parsons

British high jumper

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Media zone

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