Glasgow Warriors | Kaleem Barreto has pro ambitions
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September 16, 2017

Kaleem Barreto has pro ambitions

Posted by Editor on September 16, 2017 08:06 AM | No comments | Print | E-mail author

Kaleem Barreto is playing his club rugby for Marr this season
Glasgow's Stage 3 Academy scrum-half Kaleem Barreto is determined to do all he can to secure his first professional contract.

Kaleem left Glenalmond College last summer and is now training with Warriors and playing Premiership rugby with Marr. The 18-year-old has also linked up with the Scotland Sevens squad as they gear up towards the World Series.

Speaking to The Rugby Paper, Kaleem said: "It doesn't matter where or how I play my rugby this season.

"All I know is that I want to end the season with my first professional contract with Glasgow.

"I've started the second block of training with the Sevens squad and it's very enjoyable. The World Series is a long way away but I guess I'll know where I stand with them if I'm asked to come back for the next block in a couple of weeks.

"Sevens is great to develop your skills and a few players have showed that you can have a very good season on the circuit and then get a contract. That's what George Horne and Jamie Farndale did so that could be a way into professional rugby.

"If it doesn't come off, I'll go back to Glasgow and probably play for Marr in the Premiership. Both Marr and the Sevens circuit will be good for me regardless, so I'll just give my whole to whoever picks me and hope that's enough to secure that contract I've been dreaming about."

Kaleem was born in Portugal with his father hailing from Mozambique but the family moved to his mother's home country in Scotland when he was three years old.

While playing for Glenalmond College, he was selected for the Scotland U16s and U19s and he is now targeting the U20s.

He added: "I won't be able to play for the U20s next season because my birthday is only 11 days after the cut off dates so this season is my one and only opportunity to get in the squad.

"I'm quite strong for my size so that might help me bridge the age gap this year and I've also played a bit of senior rugby.

"I'm going to be training full time for the first time in my career but it's going well so far. I guess the biggest thing for me will be to keep my performance level at a high standard all season.

"At this level you can't afford to not work hard in training and hope to play well in the games. It's not school rugby anymore and being at my best week in week out is what the Warriors will expect from me if they are to offer me that contract."