Lloyd Kemp on boxing sessions, his Hull FC centre role, kicking on, and Saturday’s game against Huddersfield.
Hull FC young gun Lloyd Kemp.(Image: Dave Lofthouse, Hull FC)
Hull FC young gun Lloyd Kemp may only be 19 years old and with just six senior appearances to his name but there’s already a fearless approach to him – one that defies his youthful years.
The teenager, who debuted for his hometown club last year and is now getting his latest shot in the Hull first-team, is calm and collected with the temperament to rival some seasoned veterans.
And for Kemp, playing a stern role in the Hull centre spot for the last two games, that ability to soak things up, to not get flustered, is no fluke – and instead comes from childhood boxing sessions with his twin brother, Callum.
“Growing up, I did a bit of boxing,” Kemp, speaking to Hull Live, said. “I did it with Cal, but he got sick of it. I used to beat him up too much.
“It’s that brother thing, isn’t it… We’ve always competed with each other, trying to push each other to be better. We want each other to be better and we’ve constantly had someone there to battle with, but it’s been good for us.
“It (boxing) certainly helped with rugby, but I just think you can’t get too flustered because that’s when silly errors happen or you do stupid things. You’ve got to stay composed going into the game and just be ready for whatever comes.”
Kemp has certainly been composed in his two Super League games this year. He came into the team at Leigh and held his own before earning the club’s Player of the Match award at Warrington.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” the teenager said when asked about his current centre role. “Obviously, it’s a different position to what I’m used to, but it just gives me another option as well as full-back.
“I’ve really been enjoying it. You’re in the defensive line a bit more, so you get through more work, but I played a few games there last year, too. It’s a different level at Super League, but I think it’ll do nothing but help me, playing against bigger bodies, and especially in a faster game with the way that the rucks are now.
“Teams have got a bit more space to throw it around now because of the speed of the ruck, but I’ve just been trying to understand the position a bit more, like pick the brains of Davy (Litten) and Zak (Hardaker).
“I just want to keep my head down now and hopefully keep getting a few more games and just be ready for whatever comes. That’s what you always strive for, to have a successful Super League career, so it’s just knuckling down now, staying grounded and keeping pushing on.”
Kemp has knuckled down ever since debuting in the first team against York Acorn back in February 2025. He played half-back that day, scoring a try, before his first Super League outing in July against Leigh. A Hull derby then came, with a run in the team presenting itself again this year.
“It’s all been a bit crazy really, to be fair, from where I was,” Kemp said. “Last year, I was playing Academy and Reserves mostly, but then I got given my chance to make my Super League debut, so that was a special moment.
“But yeah, I’ve just been trying to take it as it comes and just try to keep pushing onto the next game.
“I’m trying to better myself in every aspect, like wherever I get put, whatever position it is, I’m just trying to be the best that I can, playing for my boyhood club, which is what I’ve always dreamt of.
“I just want to try and make my impact and get the club back to where it belongs. We’re a big club and we want to be competing in every game.”
Looking to end a run of four successive defeats, Hull take on Huddersfield Giants at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon. It’s a big day for the club, who will celebrate their Community Foundation before their Hull and Proud week game.
“Hopefully we can get a nice win now,” Kemp added. “It’d be good to get a good win over them. Obviously, to get back up to where we should be, but just a solid performance from everyone and a nice win at the end would be good.
“It’ll be a tough game. There’s obviously a bit of pressure because you’ve always got that in the back of your mind (the four defeats), but it’s just about us staying connected as a group, just pushing on to the next game and just hopefully we can get that win.
“We just fell short last week and this is a big day for us. A lot of work goes in with the foundation. We need to be ready to play.”