Cup joy for boy they said would never walk
By Andrew Hunt
WHEN 14-year-old Kyle Hardacre lifted the Heavy Woollen Reporter Cup at Mount Pleasant it was a real triumph over adversity.
Kyle was born with talipes (club foot) in both feet and he has had several operations to correct the problem.
Doctors warned his parents early on that he would probably never walk properly.
However, Kyle’s steely determination has seen him overturn the doctor’s prediction by playing for Shaw Cross Sharks.
He began playing rugby at seven-years-old and over the last seven years he has won just about every honour.
Despite his age, Kyle wears a size three shoe when most of his teammates are in seven or eights.
He was made captain in his final game for the Sharks – their Heavy Woollen Cup final against Dewsbury Moor.
After the Sharks’ victory Kyle went up to lift the cup, before being hoisted onto his teammates shoulders.
With the team now moving up to Under-15s next season, Kyle will not risk competing against much bigger and heavier opponents.
Instead, Kyle now hopes to take up refereeing, while he will also assist his dad, Darren Hardacre, coaching next year’s Under-15s side.
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Weather for Batley
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
