Rugby-playing sheep breeder leaves Ulster for pastures new

By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jun 2018, 07:00 BST
Updated 25th Jun 2018, 09:54 BST
Callum Patterson with his Suffolk sheepCallum Patterson with his Suffolk sheep
Callum Patterson with his Suffolk sheep
Armed with a list of Suffolk sheep farmers in the southern-most tip of England, Callum Patterson has left his home in Broughshane behind to follow his dream as a professional rugby player.

The 25-year-old said it was a tough decision to leave Ulster Rugby and join the Cornish Pirates, but an even tougher decision to leave his family and friends and the farming lifestyle he loves.

He faces 10 questions from GRAEME COUSINS about leaving behind his family, friends and beloved sheep as his rugby career takes him to Cornwall.

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1 Do you feel you got the opportunities you deserved with Ulster Rugby?

Callum Patterson during the pre-season friendly between Ulster Rugby and Wasps at Kingspan Stadium, Ravenhill Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Mandatory Credit ©John Dickson/DICKSONDIGITALCallum Patterson during the pre-season friendly between Ulster Rugby and Wasps at Kingspan Stadium, Ravenhill Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Mandatory Credit ©John Dickson/DICKSONDIGITAL
Callum Patterson during the pre-season friendly between Ulster Rugby and Wasps at Kingspan Stadium, Ravenhill Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Mandatory Credit ©John Dickson/DICKSONDIGITAL

Last season I think they opted for experience a lot because it was a tough season. When you’re training all week and not getting any games for the first team, it plays on your mind. You question why you’re doing it. Every team needs a certain depth of squad. It would have been different if I had got my chance and not taken it but I felt I took my chances but didn’t get rewarded.

2 Did that prompt the decision to join Cornish Pirates?

I felt I needed a change to freshen up. It was a big move for me, after studying at Harper Adams university, I had been back home for four years. I’d got back to normal. I’m 25 and I didn’t want to be looking back thinking ‘what if’, so I went for it. I was too young to give up on professional rugby. I’m looking forward to the season ahead and looking forward to the change.

3 Can you tell me a bit about your farm, and how hard it was to leave it behind?