Will Sharp

Will Sharp
Personal information
Full name William Sharp
Nickname Sharpy, the Cat, Eagle Eye Cherry, Sugar Ray
Born 13 May 1986
Zaria, Nigeria
Height 181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 91 kg (14 st 5 lb) [1]
Playing information
Position Centre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008–10 Harlequins RL 72 19 0 0 76
2011–12 Hull 39 12 0 0 48
2013– Featherstone Rovers 47 44 2 0 180
Total 158 75 2 0 304
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2010– Cumbria 1 0 0 0 0
2012– Nigeria 7s 1 1 0 0 5
As of 8 September 2014
Source:

William Sharp (born in Zaria, Nigeria in 1986) is a Nigerian rugby league player for Featherstone Rovers in the Kingstone Press Championship. He plays as a centre or on the wing. He joined the club after being suggested by one time Rovers coach Peter Roe.

In 2012 Will Sharp made his international debut for the Nigerian national 7s team at the African Regional qualifiers in Morocco.

Sharp celebrating after scoring against Leeds Rhinos
Sharp in action for Harlequins

He originally signed for London Broncos from South London Storm RLFC. He also played rugby union for Streatham.

Quins RL (now the London Broncos)

Sharp had a contract with Harlequins RL that saw the dynamic youngster join the first grade squad on a permanent basis.[2]

Will Sharp was named as the Harlequins Senior Academy Player of the Year in 2007.[3]

Hull F.C.

On 11 August 2010 it was announced that Will has signed a 2-year contract with Super League side Hull. Upon signing Sharp was quoted as saying "I didn't want the opportunity to pass and wonder what if and I really want to test myself at Hull. When a club like Hull comes along with the potential to be a top three team it is hard to ignore."

Hull coach Richard Agar went on to say. "He is a talented, young and ambitious player. We're pleased he thinks Hull is the place to realise those ambitions. He has the ability to carry the ball well and has strength and speed which will be great assets for us next season and I don't think it will be long before he establishes himself as a crowd favourite at the KC Stadium."[4] However, Agar dropped Sharp for the last game.

Under new Hull coach Peter Gentle, Sharp has looked much more confident when taking the ball forward and his defence has improved. Having Tony Martin, an experienced Super League and NRL player as his inside centre will no doubt help with his defence.

Featherstone Rovers

In April 2013 Will signed for ambitious Championship club Featherstone Rovers. He signed a 6-month deal in an effort to earn a longer contract. Then Rovers coach Daryl Powell compared him to former rugby league and rugby union superstar Jason Robinson. Sharp appeared to make an immediate impact with the fans due to his fearless and committed style of play. This earned him the nickname 'Sugar Ray'.

References

  1. "Hull F.C.". web page. Hull F.C. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  2. "Lamont Bryan Steps up to Super League". Quins RL. 2007-10-19. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
  3. "End of Season Awards - Award Winners". Quins RL. 2007-10-19. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
  4. "Quins' Sharp signs for Hull FC". BBC News. 2010-08-11.

External links