John Bateman is stood in the Coral Stand at Odsal, talking with admirable maturity about how a recent shoulder reconstruction will have long-term benefits for his career.

But then the 19-year-old back-rower from West Bowling has grown accustomed to looking at the bigger picture.

Becoming a father at 15 saw to that.

In October 2009, Millie Mae Bateman was born, a life-changing event which has helped inspire the teenager to become arguably the best young forward in Super League.

“I was still at school and coming up to doing my GCSEs when I found out I was going to be a dad,” recalled Bateman, whose move into fatherhood earned him the nickname ‘Pappa John’ from his Bulls team-mates.

“I kept it to myself and didn’t tell anyone except my mum at first.

“But to be honest I think it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

“If I didn’t have Millie at such a young age I really don’t know what I’d be doing now.

“It helped me to get my head down and just get on with things.

“Despite my initial concerns, once she was born I was thinking ‘why was I even worried about it?’

“As long as I can provide for her then that’s all I’m bothered about.

“It’s made me be the best father I possibly can be to Millie. It’s unbelievable really.”

How not to empathise on some level with that sort of raw emotion, the desire to make your daughter proud.

Since becoming a father, Bateman has enjoyed a remarkable rise, progressing through the Bulls Academy before making the first-team breakthrough.

He was outstanding at times during a traumatic 2012 campaign and also captained the England Academy side during their tour of Australia.

Bateman has his daughter’s name tattooed on his right arm and gets a massive boost from her coming to watch him play at Odsal.

He explained: “Millie lives with her mum but I see her four times a week and she stays over at my house at weekends.

“She says to my mum ‘do we have to go and watch rugby again?’

“But she’s growing up fast now and she knows what it’s about.

“It’s good to know she’s there.

“Knowing that she is coming to watch me is the best feeling in the world.

“I want to go out there and perform and give her the best life possible.

“My brother Kyle will help out too when I’ve got rugby and so will my nan and my grandad and my mum.

“I couldn’t ask for a better mum to be honest. She does a lot for me.”

Bateman is currently recovering from the operation to his right shoulder which will see him miss the start of the season.

It was a problem that needed rectifying and will allow him time to get his body right, effectively for the rest of his career.

Bateman said: “I did it in the Huddersfield game and I tried my best to get back for the Catalan game.

“It just didn’t feel right so I’ve just rested during pre-season.

“I went into contact two weeks ago and it went again – it was the same problem.

“I think it could be a blessing in disguise because it gives me a chance to work on other things, such as my diet and all-round fitness.

“That will allow me to come back fitter, stronger and a better player.

“It’s disappointing to miss the start of the season but we’ve got a lot of quality in that area and I’m sure the lads will be fine. “

Bateman signed a new three-deal at the end of last season and is also hoping to resume his driving lessons as he continues his recovery from his recent shoulder operation.

“It was good to move on from all the off-field stuff last season and get a new contract,” said Bateman.

“I just want to concentrate on getting fit now and I’m hoping to be available for the St Helens or Huddersfield games.

“If I’m back before then it will be a bonus but I’ve got Galey (Luke Gale) to train with as well as my prehab partner, so it’s good to work with him.”