James Maddrell looks set to become the next talented teen to come off the Manx rugby conveyor belt and make his mark on the UK game.
The 16-year-old Vagabonds player is currently juggling studying for his GCSEs with representing Cheshire and being selected for the under-16 Scottish rugby performance squad.
First introduced to rugby at the age of just five, James has been throwing a ball and doing stunt man rolls since he was a baby, according to mum Tracy.
He progressed from mini rugby to experience the English county system with West Cheshire at the age of 14.
The Isle of Man Sporting Excellence Programme has helped Maddrell progress to the next level in his sporting career.
He said: ‘I have always loved rugby, the coaches made it fun so it kept me interested from a young age.
‘I started off as a fly-half and Jason Robinson (England World Cup winger) is a player I have looked up to, as well as Manx-born Scotland under-20 international Phil Cringle in the island.’
Now playing centre, he has enjoyed a breakthrough year, earning selection for the Scotland u16 development squad.
James recently attended a week-long residential camp in Edinburgh with the Scotland group.
He said: ‘My nanna (dad’s mother) is Scottish, born in Edinburgh and has lived there most of her life.
‘It’s thanks to her that I qualify for Scotland, so I’m very grateful.’
‘My parents have paid for me to go to camps before, but this was the best one by far!
‘They have a great system of looking at all areas of development both personally and on the pitch.
‘It was such a professional set up and it was great to get to know the other 40 players during the week.
‘The standard was really high and I really enjoyed it.’
Since joining the Isle of Man Sporting Excellence programme in September, James has worked on preparing for major championships and is looking forward to the upcoming ‘Coping with Injury’ day in January.
He added: ‘It is great to be involved with the programme along with so many other sports people.
‘The subjects covered fit in very well with the Scottish rugby philosophy - I’m really enjoying it.’
Scotland is fielding an under-16 squad in an international tournament in April so in preparation for the selection process James is attending three Scottish camps in January, February and March 2014.
He explained: ‘It’s a lot of travel, but now I’m supported by Isle of Man Steam Packet Company it is much easier for my parents to pay for all my travel costs.
‘I’m very grateful to them for that support, which makes a big difference.’
‘My dream is to play for Scotland and secure a professional contract one day.
‘My next step towards that goal is joining Kirkham Grammar School in Lancashire after my GCSEs, where I will be playing lots more rugby.’
The Isle of Man Sporting Excellence Programme created to inspire and prepare a new generation of sporting champions is delivered by Kelly Holmes Education, leaders in sport education.
The programme is supported by Creechurch Capital, Microgaming and SMP Partners, and brings together Isle of Man Sport, the Isle of Man Coaches Association and the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association.