Robbie Paul
Former New Zealand International and Bradford
Bulls hero, now playing for Salford Reds, Robbie
Paul, studied HNC Art & Design at Bradford
College in 1999.
Robbie began playing aged 4 for Te Atatu
Roosters in Aukland, New Zealand, alongside his
brother Henry. He came to the UK in August 1994
to play for what was then Bradford Northern.
Signed by the Reds from Huddersfield Giants
during the close season, Robbie has won every
honour in the game whilst at Bradford Bulls,
including being the first player to score three
tries in an RL Challenge Cup Final at Wembley
that earned him the Lance Todd Trophy. Having
skippered the Bulls to Grand Final wins in 2001
and 2003, a World Cup Challenge Victory in 2002
and the RL Challenge Cup in 2003, he joined
Huddersfield Giants in October 2005. Robbie is
also a former New Zealand test star who played
30 times for his country. Robbie missed the start
of the season due to back surgery but made his
debut for the Reds against Bramley Buffaloes in
the first knock out round of the Northern Rail Cup
at the Willows on Friday 4 April 2008.
“I finished high school in and went on to Art
School in New Zealand but I never finished the
course as I was offered the contract with Bradford.
I had a choice of staying in education or following
my dream.
I am a painter. I have set up a studio in every
house I have ever been in. After a few years of
cracking on with my own stuff I decided I would
like to learn some new techniques. During an
off season I came along to Bradford College to
see what I could do and joined the HNC Art &
Design programme. Lecturer Brian Hindmarch
was so welcoming to me. I thought he was such
a talented artist and a really lovely guy. Brian
understood my situation and let me to participate
as an associate student for my own development
without having to complete the course, as when
training started I couldn’t attend. I picked up
so much in my time there, especially in the life
drawing classes.
I am still painting. I have spent a lot of time trying
to find my artist’s voice. At the moment I am
doing a lot of semi-abstract symbolist stuff and
contemporary pieces. Art is extremely frustrating.
I find sport relaxation and a release compared to
art, which is such a personal and mental thing.
When I am painting I am creating anxieties in
my mind by pushing barriers. Rugby is much less
intense!”
Photograph supplied by Salford City Reds