Kevin Penny has felt the harsh reality of life away from professional sport and insists his time out of the spotlight will forever serve as motivation as he continues to make the most of his second chance with Warrington.
Almost a decade has passed since Penny made his debut in 2007 and was almost immediately tipped for the top but, after being released by Warrington in 2010, indifferent spells at Widnes, London and Wakefield left him facing an uncertain future in a sport he started playing only at the age of 16.
Forced into playing part-time with Swinton in the lower leagues for two years, Penny was thrust into the unglamorous world of balancing evening training with a full-time job.
He was given another shot by Warrington in 2014 and has become a key member of Tony Smith’s side this year but Penny said those years out of the limelight have made him appreciate life at the top more than ever before.
“You don’t realise how hard it is to make a living outside of sport and you just take it for granted being a professional,” Penny said. “It’s hard in the real world, so to experience that was good for my life as I had to go away and learn some things about myself.
“I was working as a courier, delivering parcels all over while playing part-time. I trained at night after working all day, and then I would play for Swinton on a Sunday – so I know how tough life can be away from the bright lights of professional sport.”
Penny still found himself in and out of the Warrington side last year but his form was good enough for the club to hand him a new two-year deal. He has played in their 11 games this season, and will line up on the wing again on Friday night as they face Widnes, when a victory would cement the Wolves’ position at the top of Super League.
“I just wanted to get off to a good start from my own point of view and keep my place in the team,” he said. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, I’m just trying to give Tony no option but to pick me, and I’d like to think I’ve done that so far.”
Defeat last Friday at Huddersfield opens up the possibility of Warrington relinquishing top spot this weekend, but Penny insists the whole squad are determined to make amends for only their third defeat.
“I’m looking forward to this Friday more than any other game this year,” he said. “We’ve had a great start but we had a really disappointing result at Huddersfield and there’s no better game than a derby to go out there and set the record straight.
“I’m blessed to do this; I don’t look at it as a job, I look at it as a privilege. I know what it’s like for those guys who have to work all day then go to training on a night at the lower levels, and I admire them for how hard they work. Playing at the top is an honour.”
The Rugby Football League will announce the dates and venues for the Four Nations on Friday, with England playing at the Olympic Stadium in London, Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium and Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.
The final of the four-team tournament, which also features New Zealand, Australia and Scotland, will be held at Anfield in Liverpool.
