It has been a whirlwind of a week for Upper Sixth Formers Aiden Ainsworth-Cave and Jonny Weimann, who signed their first professional contracts with Northampton Saints Senior Academy in front of home supporters at Franklin’s Gardens at the weekend.
The two boys will join six other talented players who also starred for Saints’ U18s this season when the club reached its third successive Premiership Rugby Academy League final.
Aiden and Jonny also represented England in the U18 Rugby Six Nations held at Parma’s Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Italy earlier this year. The two boys spent the winter training at the England U18 Development Camp, which, explained Aiden, was quite literally, “a dream come true.”
Aiden’s journey to the Saints Senior Academy has not been easy. He initially joined Saints’ Academy at U14 level, but had to work hard to bounce back from a series of injuries which resulted in him being out of action for a year. Thanks to the sports rehab received under the guidance of our Director of Rugby and the medical team at the Saints, he is now back to full fitness and already playing at a high level.
Aiden explained, “Since joining the academy at under-14 level, signing a professional contract is something that I’ve always worked towards and dreamed of doing. It didn’t come easy through being injured for over a year, but to be announced in front of a home crowd at Franklin’s Gardens made me realise it was all worth it.”
In parallel, Jonny’s development has soared over this past year. He joined the Saints’ Academy aged 16 and, according to Saints’ coach Charlie Reed, “Jonny has gone from being on the fringes of our Under-17s team to wearing an England shirt and earning himself his first professional contract just a year later.”
Speaking of the signing, Jonny told us, “Having played rugby since the age of four, it was a dream come true to sign my first contract. It was a surreal experience getting introduced to all the fans inside the stadium and it was great to also have my parents there who have given up a lot of time over the years.”
Director of Rugby, Mr James Hinkins, commented, “We are so pleased for Jonny and Aiden and their respective families as this is a reward for their hard work and dedication to the sport. They have been exceptional ambassadors of the school during their time here and we couldn’t be prouder. They both have an exciting future in the game, and we will be closely following their progress. We wish them the very best.”
However, before Aiden and Jonny can join the men in black, green and gold, it is back to the exam halls to sit their IB and A-Level exams respectively.
We wish them the best of luck both in their exams and as they begin their professional careers on the pitch.
