02/09/2026
🏉 Rejection doesn’t define you. What you do next does.
Today will be a difficult day for some of our young players.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve had U16 girls going through Player Pathway trials, with some finding out today that they haven’t been selected for the next stage.
We’ve also had a number of our boys trial for the Newcastle Red Bulls Academy, with some receiving the news that they haven’t made the next step.
And we want those players to remember something:
This is not the end of your story.
Because we’ve seen it happen before.
Adam Radwan came through Billingham Rugby Club.
He had the talent. He had the ambition. But his journey wasn’t a straight line.
Adam joined the Newcastle Falcons academy, only to be released.
He came back to Billingham.
He kept playing.
He kept working.
He kept believing.
That opportunity with Newcastle came again.
He was picked back up by the Falcons and spent time with Darlington Mowden Park, where he developed further and began to show just what he could do.
He eventually returned to Newcastle and went on to light up the Premiership — becoming one of the most exciting wingers in the country.
And then came the call every young player dreams of.
England.
He made his England debut against Canada in 2021 and scored a hat-trick.
Think about that journey.
Rejected.
Released.
Back to Billingham.
Another opportunity.
Loaned out.
Developed.
Back to Newcastle.
Premiership.
England.
The rejection wasn’t the end.
It was just part of the journey.
So, to every young player who has received difficult news today:
It’s okay to be disappointed.
It’s okay to be upset.
But don’t let one selection decision decide what you believe you can become.
You might not be ready today.
That doesn’t mean you won’t be ready tomorrow.
Players develop at different rates.
Bodies change.
Confidence grows.
Opportunities come around again.
What matters is what you do next.
Keep training.
Keep learning.
Keep playing.
Keep believing.
Because your story is still being written.
And who knows?
The “no” you heard today might just be another chapter in the story of the player you become tomorrow.
🏉 Rejection doesn’t define you. What you do next does.
Billingham Rugby Club
Developing players. Building people. Creating opportunities.
