It is a rare commodity in the modern, sporting era, to have a hometown captain leading the way, but, at the Nottingham Outlaws, Nottingham’s rugby league side, they have got just that.

Still, at the tender age of just 29 years, the Nottingham Sport caught up with their captain, Coryn Ward.

Often referred to as being ‘the youngest to do this, and the youngest to do that,’ Ward, a member of the Conference League South champions in 2015, having previously captained the clubs’ U16s to the Midlands League title just six years earlier, continues to run the field, and quietly goes about his business, taking whatever plaudits along the way.

Aiming for the 300+ games for the Outlaws, Ward was in fact the youngest player to reach a century of appearances for the club and, with this past season, took the honour of captaining the side in the absence of Oliver Dales.

He’s come a long way since those early days, that’s for sure.

“Growing up, I was really unfit, and couldn’t really run or anything,” admitted the 29-year-old Ward.

“Ao, when I was playing football, I was just put in goal, before rugby took over that is, and I’ve been here, at the Outlaws, ever since.

“I’m the only player to gone right the way through the ranks.

“When I joined them, at what, 13-14-years-old, we had three adult teams and a really good juniors’ side that won the league (2009).

“So, for me, I really want us to go back to those levels, across all our teams.”

At the club presently, despite results not going their way this season, there is a decent group of players, including the veteran, and record try-holder, George Strachan.

Someone whom Ward aspires to be like, the similarities are quite plentiful, they, and the team, are constantly building, both on, and off the field.

“We’ve got a good core of players here which, when next season does come around, we know we’ll be stronger, more competitive,” continued Ward.

“It shows in training, and on a game-day, but overall, we need that commitment to the cause, and to keep the momentum going.

“As for Strachan, I’ve known him since I started out really.

“He’s a really good mentor and, not purposefully, I’ve noticed a resemblance between us.

“He’s a great player though, who deserves to be playing at a higher level but, like me, he loves this club – I’m just not as good as him.

“We love him being around, as do the fans, even if he’s only what, five foot five; but he knows he’s a decent player and we certainly feel his presence when he does play.”

It has been somewhat of a tough season just finished for the Outlaws, there’s probably been more lows than there has been highs in what has been Ward’s testimonial season.

However, continuing to play at the higher level, it’ll eventually start paying off, they just need that continuity on the field, and increasing support off it.

“We’ve lost to some really good sides this past season,” explained Ward.

“There’s been some really hard battles out there, but we need that continuity, commitment, and the positivity to obviously, win more games.

“The younger players will learn from that though, and take that experience into next season and hitting the ground running.

“Overall though, I do feel that we’re what, four, maybe five players shy from the ideal fifteen.”

In putting the current campaign firmly to bed, Ward, and the Nottingham Outlaws, turn their focus to next season, whilst hoping to increase the knowledge and interest, the popularity, of the sport in Nottinghamshire.

The Nottingham Outlaws’ pre-season will begin around February 2022, whilst the new, 2022 campaign, is scheduled to run between April and September.

Keep up-to-date with the Nottingham Outlaws via their website nottinghamrl.co.uk and their socials, Facebook Facebook and Twitter.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @outlawsRL Coryn Ward has been an Outlaw since the age of 13.