The last few months have been somewhat of a whirlwind for Upper Sixth Former Callum Smyth who, having been selected for the Scotland U18 squad back in February, has gone on to demonstrate some superb rugby during the Six Nations Festival in France.
Callum joined Bedford School as a boarder at the start of the Sixth Form on a rugby scholarship, having been approached by several different schools asking what his plans for Sixth Form were.
Callum told us, “I didn’t have Sixth Form on my mind when I was at my old school, I planned to take an agricultural course at Moulton College. When I was given the chance to be able to trial for a scholarship at Bedford, I could not believe it – I was in complete awe of the entire school. I had a gut feeling that this school was the one for me and thankfully because of someone seeing a degree of potential in me, I was able to come here.”
James Hinkins, Director of Rugby, has been delighted to watch Callum’s progress, particularly so as Mr Hinkins is also Housemaster of Burnaby where Callum boards. He commented, “Callum has had a superb tournament. They beat Italy and narrowly lost to England, and Callum performed very well in both sides of the scrum. He demonstrated his prowess in the set piece along with some formidable defence and ball carrying. We are excited by his future as he looks to develop his rugby career whilst completing a degree course up in Scotland.”
Having played rugby since the age of five at Kettering Rugby Club (where he still plays), Callum’s natural talent for the game shone through early on, and he was quickly snapped up by scouts from Northampton Saints, where his rugby really took off.
Callum’s links to Scotland are on his maternal side of the family, which gave him the opportunity to be able to play for the country.
Callum and his Mum.
He explained, “Scotland means a lot to me because my mother is Scottish giving me the link to be able to play for them. I was honoured and proud to stand there and sing the Scottish national anthem and see my mum and family looking on. That is again a special memory that will be with me forever.”
“When I received the phone call saying that I had been selected it made me feel accomplished as an individual. It is the highest level of rugby that an U18 player can play at, and I was honoured to wear the thistle and represent a country that means so much for me.”
Having joined the Sixth Form as a weekly boarder, Callum has slotted into boarding and school life seamlessly, and has even been elected (by the boys) as Head of House. He is extremely grateful for this opportunity, saying “School has helped me because I was given the chance to come to Bedford and play a high level of schoolboy rugby, all whilst getting a brilliant education. This is something that I value so much and have not forgotten the sacrifices that people have made to enable me to come here.”