Rugby passion with Jacob Brome
"I enjoy the contact element of the game, the tackling and the tactics and different ways to score."
Brome got his first taste of rugby at the age of six, whilst playing at primary school. Since then, Brome has progressed to represent the A team at his school, Langley Park Boys, and he also plays for his local team, Beckenham RFC. More recently, Brome’s talents have been noticed by professional club Saracens, where he is part of the Emerging Player Group, and Kent at regional level.
Brome currently juggles his time between school and four different rugby clubs, usually playing second row or number eight, but he is not overwhelmed by the standard or the amount of rugby he plays.
Rugby or Football?
Brome’s love of rugby was not always clear. When he was at primary school, Brome enjoyed playing both rugby and football and, initially, the young under 15 player gave up on rugby for a few years to focus on football instead.
However, before Brome started at Langley Park in year seven, he reversed this decision and he has progressed with his rugby ever since.
“In year 6, they had a summer club, where you could trial for the team and meet new people, and that’s how I started. Before that, I played when I was in year 3 for a Dulwich team, then I stopped to play football but came back to rugby.
“I was better at rugby than I was at football. I enjoy the contact element of the game, the tackling and the tactics and different ways to score. But the contact I do enjoy. Running into people is good as well!”
Enjoying the Challenge
The decision for Brome has paid off. He is now an established forward for Langley and regularly plays for Beckenham RFC. But, he has not ruled out progressing in other positions to understand the game in more detail.
“I think I’m happy where I am, but I’d like to try different positions to see how other people play the game to see what skillset they have to use in order to play.
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Despite some of the challenges of representing four different teams, and playing at a regional level, Brome recognises how he can benefit by playing for different clubs.
“I really like Maro Itoje because he’s a very athletic player and he’s very smart as well."
“I do enjoy making plays in the middle of the game to make more ground or I do enjoy working with other players to give them the ball more and make more ground. I do like the tactics.”
Despite some of the challenges of representing four different teams, and playing at a regional level, Brome recognises how he can benefit by playing for different clubs. He is not fazed by the challenges this brings and the high standards required, instead, it is something he enjoys.
“I like it because in each place you learn something different and you can use that in other training sessions and games. Also, you meet a lot of new people around the area and it’s nice to see them when you play against them, I really enjoy it!”
“I think the most difficult training is at Langley, they have the highest standards. Everyone plays at a more competitive level at school because we’re all friends and we’re all competing more.”
Although Brome plays at a good standard, there are still parts of his game he wants to improve – something he has found difficult over the past year or so.
“The main thing I struggle with overall is the less contact side of the game, because of the situation at the moment, we can’t do as much contact so we do more passing and plays that troubles me the most.”
Inspired by Maro Itoje
Although Brome has played at many different levels in his rugby journey so far, he is reflective about the future and what this may hold.
Inspired by his rugby idol, Maro Itoje, Brome would like to make it at professional level. Thinking ahead to the next few years, Brome wants to continue his journey with Saracens and break into the senior team. But he isn’t placing too much pressure on himself and would equally love just continuing to play the sport for fun in the future.
“I really like Maro Itoje because he’s a very athletic player and he’s very smart as well. I try to base my game around how he plays and how he works on the field.”
“In one year I’d like to be in the same position where I am now – continuing with club rugby, Beckenham and Saracens. Then I’d like to continue with Saracens but I’d like to continue with club rugby as well. Beyond that I’d be happy with club rugby, even if it’s just for the exercise and fun, and not at a professional level.”
