Ashburton’s Thomas Patterson has many irons in the fire heading into a busy 2021. Photo Adam BurnsThe work has already begun for Thomas Patterson.

In what is set to be a full year for the Mid Canterbury 17-year-old, preparation for 2021 was already kicking off before the previous year was out.

The groundwork for the Mid Canterbury Combined’s 1st XV began in earnest before Christmas when coach Shane Enright thrust them into a bronco challenge.

“It was a bit of a wake-up call,” Patterson said.

He does however have a fair idea of the demands required to be competitive after a challenging UC Championship 2020 campaign where the side finished second from bottom.

“Some of the results were a bit disappointing,” he said.

“But we did get to play some good rugby and it was just fun to be able to play.”

“We were a bit inconsistent at times because we had shown potential.”

Patterson however was a composed presence in the pocket, despite the continual hurdles the side faced, which included what was a brutal injury toll.

“We weren’t the biggest team.

“It was pretty tough. And a lot of the schools that did come out had the expectation that they were going to win convincingly so we just played our rugby.

“We had a connection within the group where we all got on really well, which made it much more fun.”

He admits steering a team around while consistently under pressure was a rewarding challenge, and credited the players outside him as invaluable.

This coming-of-age experience for both he and the squad may prove significant with several of the group set to return for their senior year – Patterson included.

“If we can get a few wins under our belt (in 2021) because we lost a couple that we should’ve won.

“Like the game against Lincoln last year, so just taking our opportunities.

“It’ll be good if we can get out of that bottom bracket of the table.”

From a personal point of view, a crack at making the Crusader Knights development camp remained an ambition.

“That would be pretty cool.”

Patterson’s leadership credentials have evidently transcended the footy field.

Aside from being part of an off-the-field leadership circle for the Combined squad last year, he takes on a role of great significance as head boy for 2021 at Ashburton College.

Following on from last year’s school student leaders who also navigated Covid, tackling numerous responsibilities was a challenge he was up for, he said.

“We have a good team this year and they’re all switched on.

“We had a meeting which definitely makes it a lot easier for me.”

Patterson has also been part of the school’s basketball setup for the past few years and has a desire to finish what he started.

“I’ve been contemplating it,” he said.

“I’ve played for the last four years so I think I’ll finish in my final year.”

“I really enjoy it, it allows me to express myself a little bit more without worrying about getting crunched.”

While rugby remained a massive driving force at present alongside his senior school year, Patterson said he was “keeping his options open” long tem.

“There’s a lot of things I can do, because obviously you can’t play sports forever.”

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 23 January 2021