Mattie Rea is the latest in a long line of former Ballymena Academy players to join the Ulster senior squad, but it hasn't been a straightforward pathway for the 22-year-old.
Rea, a Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup winner in 2010, left school in 2012 and has played club rugby for Ballymena RFC ever since.
His consistent high-class performances in the All-Ireland League over the next three years convinced the coaching staff at Ulster to give him a place in the sub-Academy last season. And, following further development, he graduated into Les Kiss’ senior squad in the off-season.
He made his senior bow in the pre-season game against Leinster at Navan RFC, putting in a fine shift that included some powerful surges with ball in hand and a few trademark bone-crunching tackles. Indeed, he was singled out by Kiss following that impressive individual display.
It has been a truly whirlwind 12 months for Rea, who turns 23 later this month:
“I played for Ulster U20s a couple of years ago but I dropped off the radar a bit. So I just focused on trying to play well for Ballymena and I managed to progress well enough and got into the sub-Academy.
“That really helped me - I think that the sub-Academy system is particularly good on the conditioning side of things. I was playing rugby but I wasn’t really getting into the gym and doing all of the training that I probably should have been.
“Since I started training with the senior squad I’ve noticed a big step up, but it’s been enjoyable. If you’d have told me a year ago that I’d be playing against the senior Leinster team, I would have bitten your arm off. It took a couple of years but I was glad to get there in the end. It’s been so good so far.”
The versatile Rea, who is comfortable across the back row and in the second row, says the presence of a number of other Ballymena players has helped him to integrate into the professional environment at Ulster.
“Everyone has been really welcoming. But it’s obviously been great to have a number of players here who I’ve known for a while and who’ve come through a similar pathway to me - guys like Andy Warwick and Stephen Mulholland. That has helped me to settle in.”
Rea is not the only member of the family who is making his mark at Kingspan Stadium - his brother Marcus is one of nine newcomers to the Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy.
The duo lined out for the Academy & Development team against Munster at Thomond Park on Friday, and while the side lost narrowly (21-18), it was a special moment for them both:
“It was a great experience to finally be on the same side as him for a match. He drives me - I’m scared to get showed up by him so it pushes me, which is a good thing,” he said with a grin.
Expanding on the newly formed Academy & Development side, which has replaced the Ulster U20s squad, Rea said:
“I think it’s good for some of the younger lads because it’s more physical and a good step up in terms of quality from the U20 inter-pros. It gives talented young players exposure to a better level of rugby, which can only be good for their development.
“I enjoyed getting out there. You could say that, being one of the oldest, I was one of the leaders in that team, so I was trying to pass on some of the knowledge that I’ve picked up from the senior guys.
“Dan Tuohy has been very influential and has helped me a lot. The likes of Franco (van der Merwe) and Roger Wilson have been a big help as well. I’m trying to lean on their experience as much as possible.”
Rea, a Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup winner in 2010, left school in 2012 and has played club rugby for Ballymena RFC ever since.
His consistent high-class performances in the All-Ireland League over the next three years convinced the coaching staff at Ulster to give him a place in the sub-Academy last season. And, following further development, he graduated into Les Kiss’ senior squad in the off-season.
He made his senior bow in the pre-season game against Leinster at Navan RFC, putting in a fine shift that included some powerful surges with ball in hand and a few trademark bone-crunching tackles. Indeed, he was singled out by Kiss following that impressive individual display.
It has been a truly whirlwind 12 months for Rea, who turns 23 later this month:
“I played for Ulster U20s a couple of years ago but I dropped off the radar a bit. So I just focused on trying to play well for Ballymena and I managed to progress well enough and got into the sub-Academy.
“That really helped me - I think that the sub-Academy system is particularly good on the conditioning side of things. I was playing rugby but I wasn’t really getting into the gym and doing all of the training that I probably should have been.
“Since I started training with the senior squad I’ve noticed a big step up, but it’s been enjoyable. If you’d have told me a year ago that I’d be playing against the senior Leinster team, I would have bitten your arm off. It took a couple of years but I was glad to get there in the end. It’s been so good so far.”
The versatile Rea, who is comfortable across the back row and in the second row, says the presence of a number of other Ballymena players has helped him to integrate into the professional environment at Ulster.
“Everyone has been really welcoming. But it’s obviously been great to have a number of players here who I’ve known for a while and who’ve come through a similar pathway to me - guys like Andy Warwick and Stephen Mulholland. That has helped me to settle in.”
Rea is not the only member of the family who is making his mark at Kingspan Stadium - his brother Marcus is one of nine newcomers to the Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy.
The duo lined out for the Academy & Development team against Munster at Thomond Park on Friday, and while the side lost narrowly (21-18), it was a special moment for them both:
“It was a great experience to finally be on the same side as him for a match. He drives me - I’m scared to get showed up by him so it pushes me, which is a good thing,” he said with a grin.
Expanding on the newly formed Academy & Development side, which has replaced the Ulster U20s squad, Rea said:
“I think it’s good for some of the younger lads because it’s more physical and a good step up in terms of quality from the U20 inter-pros. It gives talented young players exposure to a better level of rugby, which can only be good for their development.
“I enjoyed getting out there. You could say that, being one of the oldest, I was one of the leaders in that team, so I was trying to pass on some of the knowledge that I’ve picked up from the senior guys.
“Dan Tuohy has been very influential and has helped me a lot. The likes of Franco (van der Merwe) and Roger Wilson have been a big help as well. I’m trying to lean on their experience as much as possible.”