Dan Retter

My Early Rugby Years

When I began attending Old Swinford Hospital (OSH) School in Stourbridge at almost 12 years of age, I had never handled a rugby ball. My mum enlisted the help of a new school friend to persuade me to become involved with the rugby club practices run by the school each week. I eventually caved and began attending.

With zero skills or experience and slight dyspraxia, the coaches placed me firmly in the ‘D’ team and even then, I was assigned the lofty position of ‘sub’.

With a bit of determination and the encouragement and perseverance of our amazing coaches, I finally made the ‘A’ team for the U16’s in my final year at OSH.

I left OSH to attend Cults Academy in Aberdeen to take Highers. I played for the Aberdeen Grammar (Former Pupils) Club because my school did not have a rugby team. Meanwhile I was instrumental in starting a rugby team within the school and was elected captain.

Much to the shock of, not only the school, but the entire local community, we experienced significant success in beating the more established teams (including Aberdeen Grammar!).

During my U18’s Season with AGFP, I was awarded the prestigious Golden Boot and went on to enjoy my first experience of adult rugby with the 2nd XV. It was here that one of the coaches approached me with a view to joining his newly formed Rugby League team the Aberdeen Warriors.

Dan is able to overcome adversity by his sheer determination to succeed.  I have found that Dan's word is his bond; that fact alone is the highest compliment I attribute to him.

John Mahon - Head Coach, Warley Rugby

My 2013 Rugby Season

Three years into my Rugby League career, I applied to take part in trials for the Scotland Rugby League Squad. I was excited to be selected as one of the youngest players for the Scotland A Squad and intensified my training for the coming season.

Selected as 18th man for the first match against Ireland, I looked forward to my playing debut in the following match a few weeks later. Sadly, this was not to be. Two days after the match against Ireland, I was rushed to the hospital in Aberdeen with appendicitis and had to undergo surgery with strict instructions not to undertake any form of exercise for the following six weeks; my season had come to an abrupt end.

Although it took some time to come to terms with the physical and emotional toll of the end of last season, I have dedicated myself to a rigorous and consistent training schedule to come back bigger and better than before.

I need your help to reach this goal.

You and Me - 2014

The 2014 trial will soon be upon us and your sponsorship will ensure exposure for your brand from the outset.

Wherever my name appears across the Scotland Squad’s media presence, you, as my sponsor, will also be mentioned.

I have a strong social network presence; this is largely due to my rugby, fitness and my work as a club promoter.  This will afford further promotional opportunities for your brand to be undertaken throughout the season to great effect. 

There are numerous opportunities for us to work together to increase exposure to your brand through various media interfaces and with every physical appearance I make in relation to my rugby career. 

I need enough to cover my kit, supplements and travel for the season.   It will be great to chat things through with you sometime very soon and I'm reallty looking forward to usdeveloping a mutually beneficial union.