James Hayter (rugby player)
Encyclopedia
James William Hayter is an English
former rugby union
player whose regular position was at hooker. Born in Plymouth
, he attended the University of Liverpool
, during which time he played for Orrell
. After graduating in 1999, he signed for Coventry
, where he attracted the attention of several Premiership clubs, including Harlequins
. He signed for Harlequins in 2001, but was out of the game with a foot injury for the first 19 months of his time there. He remained at Harlequins for a total of six years before joining the Llanelli Scarlets on a short-term contract in 2007. At the end of the 2007–08 season, he was allowed to leave the Welsh region and was quickly signed up by Esher
. However, shortly after joining Esher, he left the club to pursue a career outside rugby in the United States.
, Devon
, Hayter attended the University of Liverpool
, where he achieved a BA
degree in Economic and Social History, graduating in 1999.
, where he spent three seasons. After graduation, Hayter had the option of moving to Cambridge University or signing for professional rugby clubs Coventry
and Saracens
; he preferred the option of going professional, but because of the number of hookers already on Saracens' books, he opted to play full-time with Coventry, where he would be coached by his England Under-21s coach, Keith Richardson. Saracens' manager at the time, Mark Evans, became chief executive at Harlequins
in 2000, and made an approach to sign Hayter in April 2001. However, soon after signing, Hayter suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for the entirety of the 2001–02 season.
After 19 months out of the game, Hayter made his debut for Harlequins on 10 May 2003, playing in a 25–21 away win over London Wasps
in the Zurich Premiership. Hayter played for Harlequins for another four years, and in 2007 he was selected to play for the Barbarians
invitational team against the national teams of Tunisia
and Spain
. However, that summer he was released from his contract with Harlequins and was picked up by the Llanelli Scarlets in July 2007. Hayter was signed by the Scarlets as cover for first-choice hooker Matthew Rees
, who was on international duty with Wales
at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
, but in injury to back-up hooker Ken Owens
meant that Hayter was kept on longer than intended and given the opportunity to make the number 2 jersey at the Scarlets his own.
However, after the arrival of Mahonri Schwalger
at the West Wales region, Hayter was deemed surplus to requirements and was one of four players released by the Scarlets at the end of the 2007–08 season. He was subsequently signed by Esher
of National Division One. However, his stay with Esher was short-lived as he took up a business position outside of rugby in the United States shortly after the start of the 2008–09 season.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player whose regular position was at hooker. Born in Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, he attended the University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
, during which time he played for Orrell
Orrell R.U.F.C.
Orrell Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby union team from the Orrell area of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester.The club were founded in 1927, holding a place in the top-tier of rugby union from 1986 to 1997.-1927–1939:...
. After graduating in 1999, he signed for Coventry
Coventry R.F.C.
Coventry Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the city of Coventry, England. The club enjoyed national success during the 1960s and the 1970s, with many of its players playing for their countries....
, where he attracted the attention of several Premiership clubs, including Harlequins
Harlequin F.C.
The Harlequin Football Club is an English rugby union team who play in the top level of English rugby, the Aviva Premiership. Their ground in London is Twickenham Stoop...
. He signed for Harlequins in 2001, but was out of the game with a foot injury for the first 19 months of his time there. He remained at Harlequins for a total of six years before joining the Llanelli Scarlets on a short-term contract in 2007. At the end of the 2007–08 season, he was allowed to leave the Welsh region and was quickly signed up by Esher
Esher RFC
Esher Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Surrey, England. Esher RFC are currently playing in the second division of the English league system, The Championship. The club was formed in 1923 when four rugby enthusiasts agreed to start a club....
. However, shortly after joining Esher, he left the club to pursue a career outside rugby in the United States.
Early life
Born in PlymouthPlymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, Hayter attended the University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
, where he achieved a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in Economic and Social History, graduating in 1999.
Career
While attending the University of Liverpool, Hayter began his professional rugby career with nearby OrrellOrrell R.U.F.C.
Orrell Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby union team from the Orrell area of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester.The club were founded in 1927, holding a place in the top-tier of rugby union from 1986 to 1997.-1927–1939:...
, where he spent three seasons. After graduation, Hayter had the option of moving to Cambridge University or signing for professional rugby clubs Coventry
Coventry R.F.C.
Coventry Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the city of Coventry, England. The club enjoyed national success during the 1960s and the 1970s, with many of its players playing for their countries....
and Saracens
Saracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
; he preferred the option of going professional, but because of the number of hookers already on Saracens' books, he opted to play full-time with Coventry, where he would be coached by his England Under-21s coach, Keith Richardson. Saracens' manager at the time, Mark Evans, became chief executive at Harlequins
Harlequin F.C.
The Harlequin Football Club is an English rugby union team who play in the top level of English rugby, the Aviva Premiership. Their ground in London is Twickenham Stoop...
in 2000, and made an approach to sign Hayter in April 2001. However, soon after signing, Hayter suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for the entirety of the 2001–02 season.
After 19 months out of the game, Hayter made his debut for Harlequins on 10 May 2003, playing in a 25–21 away win over London Wasps
London Wasps
London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
in the Zurich Premiership. Hayter played for Harlequins for another four years, and in 2007 he was selected to play for the Barbarians
Barbarian F.C.
The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain...
invitational team against the national teams of Tunisia
Tunisia national rugby union team
The Tunisia national rugby union team is the national team of Tunisia, a third tier rugby union nation. They first started competing in 1979 and they competed, unsuccessfully in the African qualification for the 2007 Rugby World Cup....
and Spain
Spain national rugby union team
The Spain national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Spain, representing them at rugby union. Spain have been playing rugby since the late 1920s, playing their first international against Italy in 1929. They have qualified for one Rugby World Cup, in 1999 where they were pooled with...
. However, that summer he was released from his contract with Harlequins and was picked up by the Llanelli Scarlets in July 2007. Hayter was signed by the Scarlets as cover for first-choice hooker Matthew Rees
Matthew Rees
Matthew Rees is a Wales and British Lions international rugby union footballer who currently plays for the Scarlets in the Celtic League. His usual position is at hooker...
, who was on international duty with Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
, but in injury to back-up hooker Ken Owens
Ken Owens
Kenneth James "Ken" Owens is a Wales international rugby union footballer who currently plays as a hooker for the Scarlets regional side in the RaboDirect Pro12...
meant that Hayter was kept on longer than intended and given the opportunity to make the number 2 jersey at the Scarlets his own.
However, after the arrival of Mahonri Schwalger
Mahonri Schwalger
Mahonri Schwalger is a professional rugby union footballer who plays for the Chiefs in the Super Rugby competition and for Taranaki in the ITM Cup. He is also currently the captain of the Samoan national team....
at the West Wales region, Hayter was deemed surplus to requirements and was one of four players released by the Scarlets at the end of the 2007–08 season. He was subsequently signed by Esher
Esher RFC
Esher Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Surrey, England. Esher RFC are currently playing in the second division of the English league system, The Championship. The club was formed in 1923 when four rugby enthusiasts agreed to start a club....
of National Division One. However, his stay with Esher was short-lived as he took up a business position outside of rugby in the United States shortly after the start of the 2008–09 season.