BRADFORD native John Bateman has featured in a new mini documentary ahead of England’s Rugby League World Cup campaign – opening up on the adversity he has had to overcome to reach the pinnacle of his sport.

The 29-year-old, born in West Bowling, played junior rugby for Bradford Dudley Hill, and the second-rower was soon recognised as a special talent.

He made his first competitive appearance for Bradford Bulls at the age of just 17 in April 2011, and went on to make 35 appearances for the club, before joining Wigan Warriors in November 2013.

But 18 months before his Bulls debut, an 8-8 Super League draw against Catalans Dragons, he became a father to Millie, having just turned 16.

And in a new docuseries from Reign Total Body Fuel, a zero-sugar energy brand and sponsor of England Rugby League, Bateman has opened up on how fatherhood at such a young age gave him the focus he needed to succeed in the sport.

You can watch Bateman’s video on YouTube below:

The docuseries has been released to profile some of England’s biggest rugby league stars ahead of the Rugby League World Cup, which gets underway this afternoon.

The campaign focuses on three England players – men’s forward Bateman, women’s centre Amy Hardcastle, a former Bulls captain, and men’s wheelchair talent, James Simpson.

In the first documentary, Bateman discusses his struggles at school, his obsession with rugby league as a means of airing frustrations and the formative lessons learnt from the birth of his little girl that led him down the path to the biggest stage of all, the World Cup.

The second documentary highlights the story of Halifax-born Hardcastle, who fought her way back into the England side following a teenage pregnancy and battle with post-natal depression.

Ex-soldier and Leeds-born James Simpson wraps up the series, speaking about life-changing injuries that led him to wheelchair rugby league, his mindset and resilience to overcome adversity and the opportunity that a home World Cup poses for all England teams.

The #ReadytoReign England Rugby League series will be broadcast across all digital, social and athlete channels.

For more information, please visit http://reignbodyfuel.com/en-gb/

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