As part of our effort to keep you up to date on Ontario's rising stars, we bring you this interview with the Blues' Sebastian Pearson. The young Canadian flanker from Lindsay, Ontario is making a push for a place in the RFU Championship next season, and has ambitions about claiming a spot for himself in the talent-laden Canadian back-row.
Pearson is indeed an imposing player, and has been ever since his earliest days in the Canadian national program. Standing 6'2 and weighing in at 225 pounds, he has been working hard to catch the eye professional scouts overseas. This season Pearson racked up twenty-five appearances for Coventry in England's National Division One; twenty of which saw him starting in the club's back-row. One of Canada's most promising young talents, he has notched eleven scores in the past two seasons and six trys in the 2010/11 campaign. Add his multiple "Man of the Match" honours to the list, and Sebastian is clearly seeing his hard work payoff on the pitch. We talked with him last week about how he is trying to move his career forward.
JH: Seb, you're a player with a great deal of elite experience behind you already. Before we get to the great performances you've had in your this season for Coventry, can you remind us about your time at Leicester Academy and the U20 World Cup?
SP: I went to the Leicester Academy after I graduated high school, I went to England just to experience living in a different country and playing there and it ended up being sort of a career move. I spent two years in the Academy, playing a lot for the Academy side but also the Leicester "A" side. I played one game for the full Premiership team, which all were incredible experiences. During that time, I was also travelling a lot to attend training camps for the Canada U20 side. A 10 hour flight out to Vancouver once a week for a couple of days wasn’t always easy on the body, but it was defiantly worth it in the end, to be able to go to two U20 World Cups; especially to Japan as co-captain.
JH: After an impressive first year in Division One with Stourbridge, you signed with Coventry, following their demotion from the Championship. Coventry is blessed with some fantastic facilities and a great reputation. How have you found training at the set up over there?
SP: Training at Coventry has been great. The facilities are great and the relationship that the club has with so many businesses in the city is a fantastic help. We have access an outstanding weights gym, as well as a membership to a health club, where we can go for swims and also use their gym facilities and the Jacuzzi, which isn’t too bad either. Coventry was a very appealing place to me because of the facilities, as well as the history that the club has as being one of the best in the country. The desire to get back in the Championship is something that I definitely have in common with the club.
JH: You've pulled down quite a few "Man of the Match" awards this year. Can you tell us about some of your attributes as a player that you feel you've improved on?
SP: I feel that I have always been a good ball carrier, defender and a decent handler of the ball. This year, I think that I have added more to my game in terms of being able to run lines in the backs and not just be a "round the ruck" runner. I am now also using my feet and speed to beat people, as well as my size. But I think my work rate and involvements have gone up a lot over last year, and I have even played some #7 this year, which is something I really enjoy and would love to do more of. The ability to play that position well is something that has developed this year.
JH: Having played in the English Premiership, what are your aspirations going forward with your career? The Championship seems like the next logical step up the ladder.
SP: Yes, the Championship is definitely where I’m setting my sights now. A lot of people thought Coventry would do better this year than we have; myself included. But like all teams there needs to be a rebuilding period, and that is the position Coventry is in. I'm keeping my options open and trying to make that move to Championship as soon as I can. I just want to test myself at that level, and see if I can make a go of being a professional player in England, or in any another country for that matter.
JH: What would you want pro clubs to know about Seb Pearson? What separates you from the sea of young and ambitious back-row players trying to make their name in England?
SP: I guess I would like clubs to know that I am a hard working guy and I would do anything to make my dream happen. All I have ever wanted to be is a professional rugby player and anyone that knew me in high school will attest to it. I just want clubs to know that I’m coming to work and I’m bringing no ego, just desire and passion for the game.
JH: So, you'll be back playing this summer for the Ontario Blues of the Canadian Rugby Championship. Are you intent on staking a claim to a spot in Canada's Senior Men's Team, as well?
SP: Yes, I will be playing in the CRC for the Blues this year. I think it's a great tournament and its going to allow me to be seen by the Canadian coaches, and hopefully open a pathway to the Senior Men's Team.
Thanks so much for this, Seb! Hopefully, they'll be big new in store for you in the months to come.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please send any questions or comments to: communications@rugbyontario.com
