Rugby league has Va Va Voom

Essex boy and petrolhead Stuart Fitch, a second year sports journalism degree student at the University of Huddersfield, gets his first taste of Super League at Huddersfield Giants and is hooked.

Rugby league is a sport that has never really caught my attention. As a devoted petrolhead, any sport that did not consist of a throttle and an engine was always seen as irrelevant. When I lived down South my limited knowledge of rugby league never used to be a problem. It was only when I moved up to Huddersfield that I realised, in order to fit in with the crowd, I needed to know a lot more about the sport.

Now, I have heard of players such as Rob Burrow and Sean Long but they have never had any meaning to me. However, last weekend that was to change, as I witnessed Huddersfield Giants take on Leeds Rhinos at the Galpharm Stadium.

I took my seat and was amazed as to how close I was to the players. So close in fact that I could actually smell their anti-perspirant spray, which is a far cry from the smell of motor bike gas that had originally filled my nostrils on Sundays, I can tell you.

I looked around the stadium, savouring every moment on this sunny afternoon. Everywhere I turned there were fans adopting their team's shirts, with a few Rhinos fans sharing a pizza pod with some of the home supporters. Such actions are most rarely seen in any other sport, especially football.

With the sun beaming down on the pitch and the fireworks lighting up the sky, the players took to the pitch to a deafening sound unlike any sporting event I have been to.

The game kicked off. Tackles flew in left, right and centre and immediately I was hooked. The sound of bones crunching and shirts ripping was enough to prove that this was more of a man sport than any motor sport I know. All of a sudden I felt like a fan, feeling every tackle and shouting every chant.

As the game went on, I started developing a soft spot for Huddersfield and I thought why not? They are my adopted home team and, so people tell me, it was where the whole sport originated.

After the match, I felt like a changed man. The atmosphere, the fireworks and the action was not what I expected and it's amazing to know that on the Sunday morning I was simply a motor sport fan. Yet by Sunday night I was a sports fan in general and eagerly anticipating the next Huddersfield match. Bring on the Bradford Bulls at Odsal this Saturday ...

Comments

[oikee]

Tell you something, i wonder if stuart will go the distance now, hudders are becoming the whipping boys for the other teams, i think he should have gone with leeds as his team? Just a thought, hope he doesn't have to wait 30 years for a grand final, hehe.

[Phyllis]

Welcome!

Now the real challenge begins, when you ask yourself is there life after RUGBY LEAGUE... I think not. You will realise you are a true fan when you begin the day by checking the RL tv text then again at the end of the day not forgetting the internet websites during the day ha ha Before you know it 7 days out of 7 Rugby League will consume your leisure time and beyond !

[Joek]

Great article.Well done stuart. London based fartowner!

[Durham Giant]

I travel from Durham every week to watch Huddersfield Giants. After watching my first game i was completely hooked but like any addiction it can take over. The 3 months in winter can be very hard going cold turkey but the high in the summer is worth it.! heres looking forward to a good season. just wait until the Giants get into their stride and watch the Rocket Rod Jensen go

[greyman]

Again well done young feller, lets hope you can witness a `fartown` win soon enough , thats the next step up for you though calling us `fartown`.

[martin ryan]

stuart, when you watch rugby league you are having the pleasure of watching real rugby, proper rugby. the only true rugby is rugby league.

[Jon]

Good article, Stuart, and welcome to the Greatest Game of All.

Yes, Huddersfield is the birthplace of the sport and one of the very few that can name the date and time it was born.

Pop along to the George Hotel next to the station before the next match and have a look at the history. It's fascinating.

[Chris Harrison]

Always good to see a new fan of RL.

If you thought that was good wait until you see a great contest.

[Joek]

Great article. Glad to hear you will follow Fartown, a fantastic old club. I hope you continue to spread the word. We have a fantastic sport on our doorstep!Thouh I live in London now, but still support the club with a season ticket. Well done for the article!

[albert.]

You will notice that a pint after the game will taste better than before, its funny how Rugby League can effect the flavour of bitter, or is it the taste buds that is effected.
That shifty looking bloke you never quite trusted, all of a sudden is an ok guy all because he's wearing a league jersey.
On the way home you nip in the ale house for a swift half, before long there's a gang of you in the bar fresh from the match, all swapping opinions on the game.
Beware it will change your life.

Good luck young un,
Keep The Faith.

[Frank Fish]

Well done young man. Rugby league is the greatest game of all. You've discovered that first time. Now get your furst class honours and go and spread the word, Stuart. Good luck to you in your chosen profession.

[cadoo]

Welcome to rugby league!

There will be many more who will get that feeling. To any other people who haven't been to a game , go to one game and watch 80 minutes of rugby league.

It is the greatest sport.

[Wendy Westbury]

Welcome to Rugby League!

You are absolutely correct that it is a fantastic game and I can assure you that the one you saw was fairly mediocre compared to most!

As a fellow "exiled Southerner" I too knew little about the game before my Rugby league obsessed boyfriend dragged me to a match. I loved the first game and many years later (having now moved to Huddersfield) love it even more!

Here's to a win at Odsal on Saturday...

[Mawlculm]

stuwdents they fink they arre cwlevewr but they int boot i lyk stuwdens who liyk roogby leegue

[Smiler]

well it seems to me like the rugby bug has bitten you good and proper. Prepare to spend the next 9 months glued to rugby league, fixtures, results, disciplinary hearings, transfers and of course the big one this year, franchises. thats it, you'll lose your life to it and realise why so many fans across the country also watch it.
The fan aspect of side of rugby league is something new fans dont understand - usually as they think it will be simular to football, but you find out that fans of opposing teams can glady have a pre and post match pint to discuss the finer points of the great game without resorting to violence.
Rugby league also allows the fan to attend games as a neutral as well, there's the banter of course which is nearly always friendly, but thats one of the points to love.

If huddersfield giants do become your more adopted team over the next few months, you may like to join our crowd over at www.giantsrlfans.com and maybe in the antitch stand on the half way line near about 8 rows from the back

[Daniel Kelly]

Stuart, get yourself up to the Top House this Saturday pre-match for a sherbert.
A shame we couldn't really put on a top perfomance for you this week but it's early days and we are notoriously late starters!

[Robbo]

This is why promotions like freebies and cheap tickets shouldn't be scoffed at. Any method that gives people a taste of the game can only lead to gaining new fans. Not every newcomer will return but some will.

[RACHEL]

Stuart, I've always felt that the only way to NOT like rugby league is to not know about it. As a budding Sports Journalist you're in a great position - so take the rugby league baton and run with it! Spread the Good News!

Good luck with the rest of your degree by the way, great article.

[Steve May]

Really pleased you enjoyed it. That was a garbage match though - scrappy early season stuff.

Believe me, you've seen nothing yet. If you enjoyed this Sunday your head is going to explode once the season really gets up some momentum!

Mark Farrar is right though. You're on a precipice. One more match and you'll never escape. But why would you want to...

[adelwire]

Lovely piece and delighted Huddersfield helped you see the light! Please continue to enjoy this greatest game and get your mates along.

[oikee]

Welcome, thats the reception you get at a state of origin match in brisbane first tackle, after that you live breath and are hooked on league for life. Why would a game in huddersfield be any different, love this times blog, keep the stories coming. thank you
.

[copa]

The players use anti-perspirant spray before the game...? Like that'd make a difference.

[alcabiades]

Welcome to the sport, nice to read such a positive report whilst your team lost. Good on yer.

[Smitty]

Stuart, park your bike up, mate, and enjoy the greatest game of all. Welcome to the world of rugby league. Once visited, never left.
Good on you Essex boy!

[Mark Farrar]

Be very careful Stuart. You are about to lose an enormous amount of your life!!! It is the greatest game, but once fully commtted you will not only be poorer, have less time for decorating, you'll even be quickly bored with people who are not RL fans. Addiction comes very quickly and there is no cure...not even moving to the south as I have done!

[sam hamblett]

it looks like the huddersfield "pr" department are doing a good job at the club.