Jersey Red’s Tom Pittman’s journey into professional rugby has been anything but easy.
The pandemic came whilst Pittman was studying at Bath University, playing BUCs rugby with the intention of make it professionally.
After the initial first wave of coronavirus in March 2020, only professional rugby restarted in August 2021.
Players looking to make it to the full-time level were unable to play or train properly. For Pittman, this meant that no BUCS university rugby was on offer.
Pre pandemic, Tom Pittmann was a core part of Bath University rugby side alongside his Sports Performance BSC.
BUCS rugby offers players a degree and more importantly a pathway into the game.
“The rugby at Bath Uni was class, with good coaches and great facilities,” he said.
However, the pandemic hit and Tom was unable to play any BUCS rugby in his pivotal third year.
Knowing he had the ability to play professionally, Tom said: “I panicked a bit with no BUCS rugby as you need to be playing.
“The Premiership and Championship was on but nothing else was. Players were getting better and getting their name out there when I was stuck at home doing my degree.”
However, Tom made a breakthrough in April 2021 when Scottish Super Six side Boroughmuir Bears in Edinburgh came calling.
“It was going into the unknown, but it was the only rugby I could fit in before the English Championship started,” he said.
“So, I wanted to get some rugby under my belt and show people what I’m capable of.
“I was based in Edinburgh. In a semi-pro club I was effectively a full-time player which really helped my development. I was then ready to make that step up.”
The opportunity to effectively be a full-time player allowed Pittman the opportunity to make up for lost time.
“I worked hard on my goal kicking and defence, and hit the gym really hard,” he said.
Unbeknown to Tom, Championship side Jersey Reds were going through a fly-half injury crises in October.
One phone call with Director of Rugby Harvey Bijon was enough to convince Tom to swap Edinburgh for the Channel Islands.
“From Edinburgh to here (Jersey) happened in a day,” he said.
“I got the opportunity through a couple injuries they had. But I knew that I could offer more and that I was good enough to play at this level.”
Pittman has started the last three games against Nottingham, Hartpury and Ealing Trailfinders as Jersey charge towards the top of the Championship table.
The reduction in Premiership clubs’ salary cap is forcing many clubs in the division to to give young backs an opportunity
Clubs will be forced to squeeze their purses, with a focus potentially being shifted towards developing young players through first team opportunity rather than expensive imports or squad players.
However, Pittman said: “Jersey is a really great place to be for half-back development.
“I want to play in the Premiership, but I’m really enjoying it at Jersey.”
Academy hopping on the long road to Jersey
Tom Pittman’s rugby journey started at Salisbury RFC.
He said: “I loved it. I fell in love with rugby at Salisbury. The coaches made me fall in love with the game.
“A few players from our team play professionally such as Cadan Murley (who plays for Quins now). We were 12/13 learning the game and now playing it professionally which is great.”
However, Tom’s journey into the professional game was anything but plain sailing.
For Tom Pittman, being part of a club at an academy level brought its own challenges that ultimately led to him dropping out of the system.
Pittman attended boarding school from the age of 8-18.
Tom’s father was part of the army, moving around the country. Being a full-time boarder since the age of 8 at Forres Sandle Manor in Hampshire and latterly at King’s College, Taunton from the age of 13 gave Tom stability in those formative years.
King’s College has a great reputation for producing international and domestic cricketers, but during Tom’s time at the school rugby was not as much of a priority.
Despite this, the wide range of sports on offer allowed Pittman to try his hand at everything. “I loved Kings, played all my sport – cricket, rugby, hockey, tennis, athletics etc. I played England U16 hockey and Somerset age group cricket.”
“Rugby has always been my passion but hockey or cricket were my best sports,” he admitted.
Whilst at King’s College, Tom was also a part of the Bath age group system.
However, with no parents in the local area to take Tom to Bath and back, he was forced to usually use public transport at peak times after school. Unable to drive due to his age, it was the only option.
Tom openly admitted: “It was hard as it was so back and forth. Three times a week I would have to get a train or get a lift with my parents.
“I was getting back to school at gone midnight. I wasn’t that academic, so I missed prep and homework which was not good for me. It was hard to find that balance.”
Being a part of an academy was taking its academic toll.
He said: “I’ve always wanted to be a rugby player, but parents worry about grades too.”
The journey ultimately took a toll on his academy progression too.
Tom had further stint with London Irish near where his parents lived.
Pittman’s BTEC Sport and cricket colleague Tom Banton has gone on to play international and franchise cricket around the world. Whilst seeing his peers succeed, Tom always the determination that one day he would make it as a professional rugby player.
Now he has finally made it to the professional game, Tom is determined to stay there.
Now at Championship outfit Jersey Reds, he said: “I want to make that Jersey shirt my own”.
