Student and sport scholar lands rugby pro-contract
Obi Ene, a third year Accounting and Finance student at Newcastle University Business School and sport scholar, has signed a three-year rugby pro-contract with Sale Sharks Rugby Union Football Club.
6 December 2023
Obi Ene, a third year Accounting and Finance student at Newcastle University Business School and sport scholar, has signed a three-year rugby pro-contract with Sale Sharks Rugby Union Football Club.
Obi, a 20-year-old, Leeds-born winger, started his rugby journey at the age of nine when he joined Leodensians Rugby Club in Leeds. At age 16 he moved to Roundhegians Rugby Club and then joined the Yorkshire Carnegie Academy.
Obi said: “I had been training with Leeds Rhinos and they were keen to offer me a deal, but it didn’t include the chance to go to university. I’m in my third year of a business, accounting, and finance course now and that was really important to me. Fortunately, I have the chance to do both now – rugby and study. My Sale contract includes support through my final year at university, before I go full-time next year. It’s been really surreal.”
Impressing the Sale Sharks Academy
The winger was recognised by Sale Sharks whilst attending England training camps but was unfortunately injured when the club first reached out to him. After an intense pre-season training with the Sharks, Obi proved his skills on and off the pitch, earning the number 14 on his shirt in their fixture against Bedford Blues on the 9 September. During his debut he gave his all out on the pitch, including a try for Sale, which contributed to the team winning the game
Following this amazing achievement, Obi said: “It’s a real proud moment getting my first pro contract, after a tough pre-season it feels like it’s all paid off. I’m looking forward to pushing on now in my last season with NURFC and look forward to the next few years.”
Sales Sharks manager, Fergus Mulchrone, said: “We identified Obi off the back of a couple of England U20s training camps and invited him in for a couple of weeks around his university Christmas break. We thought it would be best to give him a longer trial period through pre-season to show us what he can do, and he did not disappoint. He worked incredibly hard to get himself in the best possible shape and ultimately earn himself a contract with the club. The coaches have been impressed with his development over the pre-season leading to some good Premiership Cup experience and we’re eager to get him into the national leagues or Championship to continue his development alongside his studies.”
Representing Newcastle University in the BUCS League
Obi will continue representing the University within the BUCS League, taking up position on the wing during his final year, whilst under the contract with Sale.
Darren Fearn, Director of Rugby at Newcastle University, expressed his opinion on Obi’s achievements on behalf of the rugby department: “It’s brilliant for Obi. We are proud of what he has achieved and really excited to see what the future holds. He has worked extremely hard while in the North East and deserves this opportunity. As a rugby programme, to have players progressing to the Premiership is fantastic to see. We are very proud of Obi and we wish him all the best for the upcoming season.”