Heffernan heads home after release from contract

Hull Kingston Rovers first team player Andrew Heffernan has been released from his contract with the club and has returned to Australia to continue his recovery from a long-standing concussion.

The former Penrith Panthers centre hasn’t featured for the Robins since early April when the latest in a series of concussion injuries forced him from the field in the victory over Widnes Vikings, with specialists later advising him not to play again this season.

However, having still experienced symptoms whilst training and in his day-to-day life, the 23-year-old has made the decision to return Down Under and take a break from playing rugby league in order to focus on his long-term health.

He departs KCOM Craven Park having scored 20 tries in 31 appearances for the Robins and was named the club’s Young Player of the Year and Community Clubman in his debut season with the club in 2017.

Speaking to Hull KR TV, Heffernan said: “Since my last concussion back in April, I’ve seen a number of specialists and I’ve worked through a rehabilitation programme. It took a long time to work out exactly what was going wrong but we were able to pinpoint it and we found out that while my brain and cognitive function was working well I had some damage to my vestibular system.

“This continues to give me some symptoms during my day to day activities so I’m just working through that at the moment and building up gradually. For a long time there, I was focusing on getting back playing and was probably putting that first, which happens a lot as rugby league players.

“It was a very tough decision but I came to the realisation that I had to focus on my health for this next period, but in terms of the support I’ve had from the club and the fans, it’s been immense and hopefully they can understand why I’ve made this decision.

“It’s been the most difficult injury that I’ve had. I’ve had some shoulders done and other injuries throughout my career, but because it was affecting me day-to-day, and still continues to, it makes it a very difficult injury.

“Globally, I don’t think we have the best understanding of concussion yet, we’re still learning about it and hopefully I can use my experience to help other players moving forward and that’s what I’ve tried to do both at the club and at the RFL.”

Heffernan discusses his future

Although Heffernan’s decision to return home to Australia to focus on his rehabilitation doesn’t necessarily signal the end of his playing career, with the possibility this could be resumed at a later date, the ex-Canberra Raiders junior is planning on taking at least a 12-month break from playing the sport.

However, with qualifications in strength and conditioning and injury rehabilitation, Heffernan hopes to remain in rugby league in some capacity, but says whatever happens he’ll be grateful for his achievements and the time spent with Rovers.

“I don’t have any immediate plans, I just need to get my health right and then I can reassess whenever that time comes. I’ve been working at my off-the-field qualifications and that maybe makes it easier to take this next step.

“I had to take some time out at the end of this process and think about the prospect of this maybe being the end of my career and how that sat with me.

“I did some work on the mental health side with the club and I kind of went back to the 10-year-old me who was sat in a classroom and was asked what I wanted to do when I grew up and I said I wanted to be a rugby league player.

“If I looked back to then now, what would he think about all of this? He would be very happy that I’ve had six or so years being a professional. I’ve got to play in two different countries and the things I’ve experienced I’ll always hold with me.

“Rugby league has given me a lot and I’d like to be able to give something back, but if it’s not that then hopefully it will be in sport. I’d love to work in sports rehabilitation and performance, so if I can do that then that would be really good.

“But the memories I’ve got here and of playing for Hull KR are the best memories of my life. Getting promoted was absolutely a dream come true for me, winning that game against Widnes and then finding out that Warrington had won as well was the highlight of my career.”

Tim Sheens pays tribute

Hull Kingston Rovers head coach Tim Sheens said: “We are sorry to see Heff leave the club and return home to Australia to be closer to his partner and his family, but we are fully understanding and supportive of his decision.

“Playing alongside Ryan Shaw, he was a big part of our push for promotion last year and deservedly picked up a couple of awards in his first season with us, not just for his on-field performances but also for his work in the community and the way he embraced what it means to be a professional rugby league player at this club.

“At the time of his signing, I spoke about his talent and how a few untimely injuries had probably cost him the opportunity to push through into first grade back in Australia. Thankfully he’s had the chance to show his abilities with us and I’m sure he will be fondly remembered by the supporters here and everybody who had the pleasure of working with him.

“He’s doing the right thing in prioritising his health and he returns home with our very best wishes for the future.”

A full interview with Heffernan about his time at the club and what the future holds is available now at www.hullkr.co.uk/tv