NRL Schoolboy Cup: Hills Sports High star Adam Runchel’s five-hour commute to play footy
While most of us are still tucked up warm in bed, Hills Sports High School star Adam Runchel is on his way to footy training – but the hard working prop wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Adam Runchel’s alarm often rings at 4:30am – and he never hits snooze.
You see, the Hills Sports High student needs to catch the 5am train from Gosford station, to arrive at school in time for footy training.
“We would start training at 7am on Tuesdays, but I always like to get there earlier, just to roll and stretch,” Runchel said.
“And to make sure I’m on time, because you just never know with trains, they can stuff you up a bit.”
And some nights, after training with the Central Coast Roosters or St Mary’s, he wouldn’t get home until 9pm.
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The original plan was to move to Sydney, if he could enrol at Hills Sports High, but Runchel decided to cop the five-hour daily commute so that his tight-knit family could remain on the coast.
“The vision of mine was always to attend a sports school and pursue a rugby league career, I came across Hills Sports High School and I thought it was the perfect place … I thought attending there would give me the greatest opportunity for my career,” Runchel said.
“Once I started travelling, I really enjoyed it for my own self, getting up in the morning, I found myself more prepared.”
As he prepares for trials with various NRL clubs the 18-year-old said he was ecstatic when he found out the Schoolboy Cup was resuming this month.
The prop – who is also studying personal training – can’t wait to play footy with his best mates and to show any recruiters on the live stream exactly what he’s capable of doing.
“It’s very important not only for myself but for the school as well, it’s a massive accomplishment to even play on the field,” Runchel said.
“It’s a massive goal of mine, to inspire the younger boys, we all try and lead by example at the school, and show them on and off the field that you’ve got to be dedicated and put in the hard yards.”
Hills coach Scott Jones said that Runchel’s discipline and commitment to schoolboy footy was simply outstanding.
“He’s a big kid with a lot of talent, the sacrifices he’s made, to better himself,” Jones said.
“I remember saying, “mate, 2.5 hours travel, that’s 5 hours every day, I think you need to think that over” but he just said “nup, I can’t get this on the coast, this is what I want to do, to better myself.”
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Hills eliminated Chifley College from the Cup back in August with a dominant 58-4 win.
On Friday Runchel and his side must face Holy Cross College – who progressed through Round 1 due to forfeit – in a sudden elimination quarterfinal.
“They’re going to be tough competitors, they’ve got young talent in there, but we feel prepared for it, our coaching staff are immaculate and the boys are keen to rip in” Runchel Said.
Hills Sports High will play Holy Cross College at 4.30pm on Friday, October 16 at Ringrose Park.
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