Steves career - The Early Years

Like most professional rugby players, Steve Hanley started his rugby days at his local club. In Steve's case this was Aspatria Rugby Club in Cumbria where his father took him to join the junior section at the age of 8. Prior to that he was a regular visitor to the club while his dad was playing and mother was watching. Even at that young age Steve was physically bigger than most of his school and rugby friends, so he had a head start when coming into contact on the rugby field. He was also blessed with lightning pace for such a big lad and as he developed into his teens, these attributes continued to make him an exceptional rugby player.

Steve started his senior school days at Cockermouth School and represented Cumbria through all the age groups. As soon as he turned 17 years of age, he went straight into the Aspatria 1st XV. The club were then in the top leagues of English Rugby and Steve in his first year scored over 30 tries in all competitions. Opposition were in the form of mature rugby players, ex R.L. professionals but tries continued to flow and he was soon noticed by more senior clubs. During this spell, he played R.L for Whitehaven Academy and again was the leading try scorer in the other code - this lead to the offer of a professional contract from the Cumbrian Club. Steve's vision was always to play rugby union at the highest level so this offer was diplomatically turned down. It wasn't long before West Hartlepool wrote, they were then in Division 1 and coached by New Zealander Mike Brewer who was keen to get Steve over to the North East. This was a great compliment, however, The University of Preston was also on the horizon. Geography meant Steve was to stay in the North West if he were to mix studies with rugby.

As a 17 year old and in his first and only season in Senior rugby at Aspatria, he captained the club U17 and U21 sides to County Cup victories. He also played in the 1st XV during non league games as a 16 year old, you could not be registered until the age of 17 to play in leagues. On two occasions, Penrith and Hartlepool Rovers saw the 16 year old score hat tricks against them. All the prominence and finishing ability were the talking points which eventually spread out of the County, this coincided with him playing for Cumbria Colts. Against Durham, he scored 5 tries and this attracted the North Regions Colts selectors to pick him in the North squad. Steve represented North of England U19's for 2 years during his Colts years and eventually represented the National team. Steve also played once for the Cumbrian Senior County Team before turning professional in 1998.

One of Cumbria's favourite rugby son's Dave Robinson (Robbo) had been speaking to his former team mates at Sale. Robbo told them to see this lad in action ASAP. The club must have liked what they saw and Steve was invited to train with the senior squad during the summer of 1998. In July of that year, he toured Argentina with England Colts and upon his return he played one game for Aspatria in September 1998 against Bedford Athletic in a Pilkington Cup game. Immediately after, John Mitchell, the then Sale coach and Adrian Hadley wanted him registered with them for the next week and the following week he made his debut against Cardiff - scoring an early try with his first touch of the ball.

The 1999/2000 season was unbelievable. Playing for Aspatria in September of that season, Steve played for England U21's, England A team and then got selected for the full England team the following April. All of this resulted from Junior Rugby to England stardom within one season; this is a very rare achievement.