The teenager is one of Hull’s brightest young talents.
Hull FC twins Lloyd Kemp and Callum Kemp.
You’ve got to have something about you to go head first into a Hull derby, especially if it was your first ever start in Super League and even more if you were just 18 years old. That was the case for Hull FC young gun Lloyd Kemp last year, and while the Black and Whites didn’t get the result, he didn’t back down.
But being thrown in the deep end like that can be the making of a player, and after debuting in the competition off the bench against Leigh a couple of weeks before, for Kemp, it was exactly that.
Kicking on, he’s now enjoying another run in the first team, playing the last three games in the centre spot and once again showing the bravery, the tenacity, and the promise that makes him one of the club’s most exciting youth prospects.
“I got a few games last year and I was happy with that, but yeah, that derby helped,” Kemp, fearless in his performances, recalled. “It feels like the fans are on top of you at that stadium. and yeah, I really liked the occasion.
“It’s just a massive jump, going from playing in the academy and reserves to playing Super League. You’re playing against men, and they’re a lot bigger and powerful.
“It’s a faster game, but you just have to get ready for it. I think it’ll do nothing but benefit me, just getting that exposure. You learn a lot from it. I’m enjoying every moment of being in the team and I’m just trying to take it all in my stride and give it my best.”
Still a teenager, Kemp has the belief instilled in him from Andy Last, and that’s gives him the confidence to play at this level.
“It’s been good under Lasty,” Kemp, a proud local lad and boyhood Black and White, continued. “Obviously, he’s very passionate about the club. He’s a Hull FC fan as well and the way that he gets us all up for games with energy and the way that he coaches us, I’ve been enjoying it.
“He’s just putting that belief in us. He’s trusting us and hopefully we can repay that by providing him with some more wins. He’s good – he’ll speak to you when you need something tipping up or if you need help. He’s been good with us.“
Kemp is also benefiting from the experience of his wing partner, the club’s 450-game-plus veteran Tom Briscoe.
“He’s been a massive help,” Kemp added. “He’s got bags of experience. He’s been helping me out, just tipping me up when I need to, and just helping me with a bit of talk and stuff.
“It’s the same with all the older boys, they are nothing but positive, giving me tips to try and get better. They’re happy for me and proud for me to play, and it’s just nice to get that support. Hopefully I can keep my spot and keep giving it my best.”