What's It Like Playing Heartland Rugby? | Patrick Hedley

Patrick Hedley joins Jason Davis on ShedLife NZ for a conversation about King Country rugby, life in the Heartland Championship, goal kicking, club rugby and what it means to represent the region you grew up in.Patty grew up in Te Kuiti before heading to the University of Waikato, where he played for Varsity. His rugby has since taken him through King Country, Hawke’s Bay and back into the Waikato club scene, including a championship season with Hautapu.In this episode we get into what Heartland Rugby is really like from inside the King Country Rams.Patty talks about the culture they have built, the crowds that turn up around the country, the rivalries between the regions and why playing for King Country carries a different feeling when your family, mates and community are right there behind you.We also get into his goal kicking.Patty has become known for being able to knock them over from just about anywhere, but there is no big secret behind it. He talks about spending hours kicking while his brothers were at training and how all those reps growing up became a big part of his game.There is plenty of wider rugby chat too.We talk about the future of NPC and Heartland Rugby, whether provincial rugby should have a bigger place in the New Zealand game, and why regional teams can create such a strong connection with their supporters.Patty also talks about players he has shared the field with who have gone on to higher levels, the influence of players like Damian McKenzie and Richie Mo’unga, and his own ambitions in the game.Right now, though, the focus is simple.Keep enjoying his footy, keep improving, help King Country chase the Meads Cup and take whatever opportunities come next.IN THIS EPISODE• What it is really like playing Heartland Rugby • Representing the King Country Rams • Growing up in Te Kuiti • University of Waikato and Varsity rugby • Winning with Hautapu • Building a strong team culture • How Patty developed his goal kicking • Heartland crowds and regional rivalries • The importance of provincial rugby in New Zealand • NPC and the future structure of the game • Players Patty looked up to growing up • His goals with King Country and what could come next ShedLife NZ with Jason Davis is about good people working hard, strong stories, useful lessons and real laughs.Watch or listen to the full episode on ShedLife NZ.