Hull FC forward Will Kirby is at that awkward age for a professional rugby league player. At 19 years old, he’s one year out of the academy, meaning that, in normal circumstances, he’s restricted to biweekly appearances in the reserves league.
In reality, that’s no good for anyone. The solution? A loan spell at Hunslet. Kirby has now played six times for the Parksiders—his latest game coming at Oldham on Sunday afternoon.
And for a teenager determined to make his mark, the playing experience is like a sanctuary – and one doing him the world of good. Of course, the long-term target, with the player signed up until the end of the 2027 season, is to break into the Hull first team, but for now, and despite the Leeds-based side struggling at the foot of the Championship table, there’s a clear direction with his goals: keep doing what he’s doing, impress, and go again.
“I’ve finally found some consistent game time,” Kirby told Hull Live. “I started the season off playing reserves every other week and being the 18th or 19th man for the first team, but playing every week has been the best thing for me.
“Playing against men has been a bit of a shock, but it’s definitely been a learning curve. No matter the result, I’m learning all of the time, and I’m enjoying playing regularly.
“There are some really experienced players in the Championship. We’ve played Fev a couple of times; they’ve got players who were playing in the Super League just last year. There are some very tough opponents, but I’m giving my best every week and trying to get better.
“I’ve just been told to keep doing what I’m doing and try my hardest. It’s going to be tough, but I’m trying to just stick at it. We let the coach (Dean Muir) go, so it’s all about sticking at it as a team and being a part of the team. I’m trying to put the results aside; it can be emotional getting beat every week, and you can get a bit down about it, but I’m trying my best to put myself in the shop window for an opportunity at Hull.”
And as far as his Black and Whites career goes, Kirby has time. He has security on his side, having made his Super League debut last year and adding two further appearances to his resume this year.
“I’ve got a bit of security, and that allows me to put pressure to the side and be myself and keep trying to get better,” Kirby explained. “There is quite a lot of pressure at times being a young kid, but you just have to take it in your stride and enjoy the moment and keep trying to improve.
“It’s my dream to play here for as long as possible, whether that’s now, two years, or three years. I’ve just got to be patient and keep doing what I’m doing and keep on improving. I’m trying to get better, and for me, it’s about defence.
“We’re trying to pride ourselves on being a defensive team at Hull and winning games through our defence. When you’re playing academy and reserves and you’re one of the stronger kids, it might be a bit easier to not be exposed, but when you go play Championship, there are bigger bodies that are stronger than you and more experienced than you, so you can be exposed a little bit.
“That’s not a bad thing, though—it’s a good thing, and it shows where you need to get better. For me, it’s my initial contact and putting a bit into my extras and my focus into games. Hopefully, that’s coming on now.
“Last year I got thrown in the deep end a little bit. I had not really trained with the team much, and I was given an opportunity at Salford to go out and try my best. It was a really fast game, and I don’t think the ball was out of play much in the 28 minutes or so. I tried my hardest, but in the Castleford game this year there was more control and a bit more clarity on what everyone was doing. The team being better this year helped my job a little bit as well.”
Hull’s improvement this year has been largely laid down to new head coach John Cartwright. The Aussie has come in and had an impact, with Kirby for one relishing his time with the Black and Whites boss.
“He really cares, does Carty—he cares about all of us,” Kirby added. “He’s shown me footage of my Hunslet games and my initial contact just to get better at that. He’s been really good with his feedback and asked if I want any help with footage.
“It’s a good positive environment to be in this year, and there are a lot of young kids getting opportunities now, so I know if I keep working hard at Hunslet, an opportunity might come here. I’ve just got to keep putting my best foot forward and trying to get better. That’s all I can do.”