Who's that kid?
Bevan French
Parramatta Eels
Date of Birth: January 4, 1996
Birthplace: Inverell, NSW
Junior Club: Tingha Tigers
Position: Fullback
Height: 181cm
Weight: 89kg
Studying: Youth Work
The Style
Having suffered through a string of disappointing NRL seasons, Parramatta fans can only hope their future looks a little brighter. Thankfully, a glance at the club's under-20s roster offers plenty of promise.
Fullback Bevan French is one of the Eels' young crop worth keeping an eye on. He's quick. He's creative. He's a bona fide playmkaer. And he's an Eel until at least 2018.
"He's an exciting player when he's on the move and he's got the skills to create space out of nothing," says Eels Holden Cup coach Brett Cook. "He's got the ability to set his team-mates up, as well as being in the right spot at the right time himself."
"He's a player everyone likes watching. In a tight game, he's the kind of guy who can win it for you/"
Since moving to Parramatta French has made a concerted effort to develop his natural talent. Cook says those efforts haven't gone unrewarded.
"He's willing to do what he needs to get to the next level," he says. "He's always focused and brining the things he learns into his game."
The Rap
At 19, French has another season to impress at under-20s level. T hat's exatly what Cooks expects the Inverell product to do.
"He is only young and still fresh," Cook says. " He's got another year in the Holden Cup and time to build a name for himself. I believe he's got what it takes to make the grade. He's one of the most talented guys in our group."
Although French is a quiet achiever, Cook says the club believes he is a leader in the making.
"It's his first full Holden Cup season but his team-mates still look up to him," says Cook. "He's not the loudest guy but we see leadership qualities in him so we want to nurture that. He has a lot to offer in that sense."
The Man Himself
French started playing rugby league at the age of five, following in the footsteps of his mates, and made his Group 19 first-grade debut for the Tingha Tigers as a 17-year-old.
It didn't last long.
"My mum didn't want me to play," recalls French. "I was only young and much smaller than the other guys. I tried to convince her to let me play but she wouldn't have it. I only got to play a couple of games and then I was back in the under-18s. I was pretty upset but what can you do?"
The move didn't half French's career though. Six NRL clubs including the Melbourne Storm, were chasing his signature before he penned a deal with the Eels in 2013.
The young gun is enjoying a strong Holden Cup season so far and has been plucked from his age group to train with the 'big boys' - just don't tell his mum.
How are you enjoying training with the NRL team?
It's great. A few of us (Holden Cup players [Forty20 - Josh Aloiai, Zach Dockar-Clay and Alex Twal have all been sighted training with first grade this year]) train with first grade once or twice a week. I have learnt so much from watching guys like Corey Norman and Reece Robinson. Working with Luke Burt has also been great.
You're juggling football with study. How's that going?
It's going well now, I was studying Business and Commerce at uni, but the timetable kept clashing with training. I've deferred that for now and am studying Youth Work. It's online with a face-to-face lesson once a week, so it's easier to manage.
You're related to Preston Campbell and Nathan Blacklock. Have they been able to offer you any advice?
Yeah, Nathan rings me quite a bit to see how I am going and is always good for advice, especially if there's anything I'm struggling with. I get to catch up with Preston when I'm on the Gold Coast, which is good too.
-Kate Symons
