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'A lot of the time a young black kid is told to go on the wing because you're going to be an athlete, not a decision-maker'
New Leicester out-half Zack Henry is hoping to inspire young non-white rugby players by proving colour should be not a factor when coaches are deciding what roles to hand out on the pitch. Henry believes too many coaches dealing with very young players equate the colour of a player’s skin with particular positions and do not include decision-making roles in that thinking.
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The recent Tigers signing has highlighted the issue after a taking a very different route to the Gallagher Premiership after being cut by Harlequins from their academy while a teenager.
After building his confidence in university rugby, Henry headed to France to play for Rouen and most recently Nevers in the second and third divisions of the French system, building a reputation as a goal-kicking No10 who is also a running threat.
Leicester have now given Henry the chance in English rugby he thought that had gone and the 25-year-old is eager to make up for lost time while also promoting the talents of BAME players in decision-making roles.
He told RugbyPass: “I hope my success does help change perceptions. It is great to now be at Leicester and I don’t want to be the guy always banging on about this.
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The club is excited to confirm the signing of @ZackHenry10 for the 2020/21 season.
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— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) February 25, 2020
“I’m here to play rugby but at the same time if I can use my experience to motivate people it would be a message from me and something I would look to do going forward. I would like to inspire any BAME or kid of colour that if you are playing rugby at five then you can be a No10, a kicker or a No9 decision-maker.
“I reference the NFL in America because the quarter-back was seen as a white man’s game, intelligently educated. Now, we are starting to see black quarterbacks who are rapid, powerful and can also make those split-second decisions and run a game of American football.
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“I’m not at the grassroots level now but what I can speak about are my own experiences. Growing up I played a lot of rugby in England and a lot of the time a young black kid at five, six or seven is told to go on the wing because you’re going to be an athlete, not a decision-maker.
“It seemed to me that certain young black kids in teams I was playing in were not given the chance to be a decision-maker – one of the intelligent positions.”
Geordan Murphy signed Henry because of his “maturity, intelligence and experience” and the Leicester out-half will be backing up England’s George Ford while also vying with young Tom Hardwick for the role. Having survived life in the French leagues after former England captain Richard Hill brought him to Rouen where he is head coach, Henry believes he is equipped to make an impact in the Premiership.
He added: “The route that I have taken away from England has helped and university was also massive because young pro rugby players don’t necessarily get the chance to go to university. “Getting dropped at the time was devastating for any aspiring young athlete but looking back those negatives have been turned into positives. Moving to France helped me both as a player and a person.
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“I’m 25 and people might say it’s a late time to be coming back to the Premiership but without all of those things, I don’t think I would be here now. I could write a book about my time in France and I have got some insane stories. At the clubs I played there were so many different nationalities and I learnt so much about the world that you may not have done staying in England.
“The passion of the fans is amazing. We would have 10,000 at a game in the second division, and also learning French is going to stick with me for life. The professionalism can be a bit blurred in France and it comes with the territory. Nutrition the night before a game, people eating what they want and having a few beers tends to be the negative side if you’re trying to be as professional as possible!”
"I mean, yesterday it was knocking up in the main sports category with Tyson Fury and Mike Tyson, so that is awesome."
You may not have heard of @wherebenmercer2 but his rugby autobiography is selling like hot cakes on Amazon – writes @heagneyl ???https://t.co/n029wt0y1q
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 3, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Loose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
9 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
9 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
9 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
19 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
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