Ben McNamara: It's in his blood
21 Oct 2020
In the next of our interviews with players who have made their Super League debut in 2020, superleague.co.uk spoke to Ben McNamara of Hull FC.
He opens up on the unexpected nature of his debut, moving to Australia as a teenager and the influence of his father, Steve McNamara, on his game.
It is perhaps not surprising that Ben McNamara has become a professional rugby league player.
Good role models were hardly in short supply as he grew up around the best players in Super League and the NRL.
Were it not for rugby league, the 18-year-old might be locked down at university, racking up debt and attending online chemistry lectures - but like many his age, the family business was too big a lure to ignore.
Academia remains a possibility down the road – but the skilful stand-off’s immediate focus is on establishing himself in a Hull FC side for whom he made his Super League debut earlier this month.
And if he gets the nod to play on Thursday night - against his dad’s play-off chasing Catalans Dragons – he can expect a thorough examination.
Steve McNamara has already promised to send the hulking frame of Sam Kasiano hurtling down his defensive channel. You’re welcome, son.
He may have been joking - but given the cut-throat nature of professional sport - McNamara junior is fully prepared for whatever comes his way, literally and figuratively.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he actually did that - he’ll be more bothered about getting the win rather than protecting me too much,?? he laughs.
McNamara is unlikely to be fazed either way.
He has been around the greats of the modern game for as long as he can remember.
From playing on the pitch at Odsal as a child to growing up around the England national side and the Sydney Roosters, the competitive arena of rugby league is something that McNamara knows as well as his periodic table.
He became the third member of his family – after his dad and grandad Ted - to pull on the famous Black & White when he came off the bench and scored a try in the Round 12 win over Castleford Tigers.
It was the culmination of a childhood ambition for McNamara, even if the timing did come as a surprise.
“I woke up to a phone call from Lasty [Hull FC head coach Andy Last],?? McNamara says.
“It came as a total surprise. He told me that we had some injuries and I would be on the bench for the match.
“It was all a bit last minute, but I think that really helped me because I didn’t have long to prepare.
“Rather than worrying too much about the occasion, I had to just go out and play instinctively."
McNamara on his debut! Magic from Connor ✨@hullfcofficial extend the lead again live on @SkySportsRL Arena, #SuperLeague #SLCasHul #SLNextGen pic.twitter.com/9Ialzqp0YL
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 1, 2020
It was news that – understandably - McNamara couldn’t wait to share with his father.
Making your dad proud is an ambition for any son – especially in a sport that both hold so close to their heart.
“With him being head coach of Catalans, I haven’t seen dad in four months, because of the Covid-19 protocols,?? he explains.
“As soon as I got off the phone with Lasty, I was on the phone to tell him, which was a nice moment.
“He just told me not to stress too much and treat the game like any normal matchday.
“It’s great to follow in his footsteps and a nice piece of history for our family.
“However, I still want to forge my own path and get recognised for my successes throughout my career.??
Despite his eagerness to make a name for himself based on his performances on the pitch, McNamara still speaks to his dad after every match.
And why wouldn’t he? Not many young players are able to call on the advice of a former Great Britain international at the drop of a hat.
“His opinion is really important to me, so I try to speak to him as often as I can,?? he outlines.
“He hasn’t been too critical; there have been one or two things I’ve picked up on myself, and he’s agreed that they haven’t been perfect.
“For example, I made a mistake against Huddersfield, and we discussed that and how to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“But more often than not he’s just been really proud and supportive.??
As they prepare to go head-to-head on Thursday night, there may be a slightly different dynamic to those father and son conversations this week.
“There will be personal and professional boundaries in our conversations,?? McNamara says.
“We won’t speak about anything related to the game, but we can still have a chat without crossing the line.
“And, if I do play, it will just be nice to see him and catch up for the first time in a while.??
McNamara was too young to remember watching his dad play the sport.
He was one when Steve retired from rugby league in 2003, but he does recall regularly attending Bradford matches; the club that his dad coached from 2006-2010.
“I went to Odsal quite a bit when dad was coaching there,?? he says.
“Playing on the pitch after Bradford matches is always a memory that stands out.
“I would also go to training with him; it was really interesting to be around that great Bradford side."
Steve’s coaching career continued to gather pace when he was named England coach in 2010.
However, it was his appointment as Sydney Roosters’ assistant coach that had a major impact on McNamara’s career.
“Going over to Australia was a big shock for me,?? he recalls.
“I was one of the best players in Hull for my age, which wasn’t the case in Australia.
“The number of good players out there is shocking; I felt completely thrown in at the deep end.
“I was one of the youngest in the year group and a lot of the players had developed more than I had.
“Adapting was really important to try to match the quality of player I was coming up against.??
The period was a difficult one.
But those learning experiences have proved invaluable in the long run.
In the intense environment of Australian rugby league, McNamara was able to gain a greater understanding of how to thrive as a professional.
“I got to be around the culture of a massive club like the Sydney Roosters,?? he adds.
“I would ball-boy, which allowed me to pick up on the top players’ habits and get a taste of what Australian rugby league was like.
“That really helped me because I knew the standard I would need to work to if I was ever going to make it.
“I haven’t always hit that standard, for sure, but at least I know the kind of processes I need to go through.??
Following his time in Australia, McNamara returned to Hull and continued his rugby league journey – albeit with a slight detour to play rugby union for Yorkshire Carnegie at youth level.
But when Hull FC came calling in 2019 and offered him a contract, there was no hesitation in his decision to sign for his boyhood club.
Up until the enforced Covid-19 shutdown, McNamara was a regular feature at reserve level for FC.
Unfortunately, the RFL Reserves League was cancelled due to the impact of the pandemic.
It left McNamara, like many other younger players, in limbo.
Thankfully, as he often is, dad Steve was on hand to offer his son the reassurance he needed to make an impact at Super League level.
“The reserves cancellation probably did help focus me on Super League,?? McNamara explains.
“I spoke to my dad about it - his advice was to just work as hard as I could to get a chance.
“That’s what I have tried to do - I just want to try to get as many Super League minutes as possible.
“I’ve got a taste for it now; I know what level I need to perform at.
“For me, it’s all about excelling, not just surviving.??
Don’t be surprised if McNamara’s hopes come to fruition – it’s in his blood, after all.
