Bradford Bulldogs’ Rhys Edwards determined to make most of GB Under-18s opportunity

ON THE UP: Rhys Edwards has come through the Bulldogs’ junior system and has taken another step up with his first call-up to the GB programme, playing for the Under-18s at this week’s World Championships Division 2A tournament in Poland. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.

BRADFORD BULLDOGS’ forward Rhys Edwards is hoping his late call-up for Great Britain Under-18s can be the springboard for further experiences on the international stage.

The 18-year-old is another product of the club’s junior system and, after making a name for himself in the senior game at Widnes Wild last season, has stepped up another level in NIHL National with Hull Seahawks in 2023-24.

As a further sign of his development, the youngster was last week added to the GB Under-18 roster for this week’s World Championships Division 2A tournament in Poland.

He replaces another former Bulldogs’ junior player, Gregor Mills - who has spent the season at Seahawks’ rivals, Leeds Knights - but who has been forced to pull out through work commitments.

Along with the rest of the GB team, Edwards flew out to Sosnowiec ahead of Wednesday’s opening game of the tournament against hosts Poland.

His first opportunity at GB will be helped by having a number of familiar faces alongside him, most notably Seahawks’ team-mate Owen Bruton and Bulldogs’ head coach, Andy Brown, is one of the squad’s two assistant coaches.

PROGRESSION: Rhys Edwards made the England Under-17 team last year.

“This is a big step in terms of my progression, the honour of playing for my country,” said Blackburn-born Edwards, who has spent the vast majority of his junior career at Bradford.

“To come into the GB programme for the first time and play at a world championships is an amazing opportunity.

“Of course I hope for more opportunities. Next year, I will be on the younger end of the Under-20 age group, so I don’t expect anything. But I will continue to work hard and push to be the best player that I can be so I am ready for my next chance.”

The teenager, who has managed only a handful of junior games for Bradford due to his senior commitments with the Seahawks and, to a lesser extent this season, Widnes, acknowledges the impact his time at Little Horton Lane has had on his career so far.

“Having Andy as a coach throughout most of my junior career has pushed me and made sure I always put 100 per cent into every drill,” he added. “He encouraged me to go for Conference and England and to always push for the next level.

“Hull has obviously also helped my development and pushed me to reach even higher limits. The ice time there has also given me the experience and confidence that I needed.”

After their opening game against the hosts, GB - led by head coach Sean Easton - will go on to face Croatia, Serbia and Romania before closing out against the Netherlands.

Only the group winners will earn promotion to Division 1 of the World Championships pyramid.

“The main target is to win gold,” said Rhys. “You need to look for promotion, that’s what we all want.”

Bulldogs’ boss Brown - now at his fourth tournament with GB Under-18s - said Edwards’ call-up was a fully-deserved opportunity.

“Rhys was unlucky not to make the team when it was selected after the December camp, as he had only just returned from injury,” said Brown.

“He’s shown a great attitude to utilise every ice session he can since then to make sure he was in the best position should an opening come up. He’s playing some great hockey right now and I’m sure he’ll fit straight into the team.”