When BullBuilder met Adam O'Brien, he came across as such a bright, level-headed young man that it's hard to believe he's still just 17. Despite coming from such a sporting family - with his brother a fixture in Bradford City's defence - he seems just a little in awe at finding that he is a professional Rugby League player. "It's strange to come straight out of school and to make a career out of what had been a hobby, just as your mates are getting jobs or going to Uni." The level-headedness comes across when he tells me that - although he is totally focused on carving out that career - he is also preparing for his future by taking a qualification as a personal trainer.

We talk a little more about his sporting family - something that only seems to have kicked in with the present generation - and he clearly takes great pride in brother Luke's success, passing on statistics about his career. However, when I ask if there was ever any possibility that the brothers' chosen sports might have been reversed, he smiles and shakes his head. "I think Luke tried Rugby once at school, got his nose broken and decided it wasn't for him! As for me, well, I had too much anger for football!"

However, it's an anger that appears to be confined to the playing field. What he values about his good fortune in ending up at the Bulls is what he describes as "professionalism, and the family atmosphere." He must be convincing about it, "even my mates back home in Halifax are impressed by what I tell them."

'Impressive' certainly describes Adam's progress in junior Rugby League. One recurring theme in our talk is Adam's youth. As a July baby, he has always found himself the youngest in most groups, leading to him making his Academy debut at 15. On playing for the under-20s last season, he frequently found himself a full 4 years younger than the majority of his opponents.

Despite playing at hooker, one position where there is currently an abundance of young talent, he has represented the England Academy in France and has been part of the squad that defeated the Australian Schoolboys. I ask if he has any ideas about how to translate this kind of superiority at Academy level to a more competitive senior team: in common with more experienced commentators, sadly, he can't envisage a quick fix for this - but sees the recent 'Exiles' game as at least a step in the right direction. "It was tougher than if they had played France," he says, "at least it gives Steve McNamara something to think about."

Speaking about Steve McNamara, leads us to discuss changes in the coaching set up since the arrival of Mick Potter. Firstly, however, he is keen to stress the value of the continuity that Paul Medley and Stuart Barrow - coaches he clearly respects greatly - have maintained at the club. With some trepidation, therefore, I ask about the poor results obtained by the junior teams so far this season. "There has been a big knock-on effect from first team injuries," he suggests, "but we've still been competing. We were thrashing Wigan at the weekend, [a game O'Brien missed due to an ankle injury] but we just couldn't get the result in the end."

Moving on specifically to Mick Potter's direct contribution, he informs me that "Mick has standardised tactics right through the age groups. That means it's easier to move between teams and step up."

Whether because of this approach, or because of Adam's own experience of handling playing against older, more seasoned opponents and the cream of international youth players, he has certainly coped well this season, when he was unexpectedly called up to the first team. "My targets for the season were to be a good under-20s player, and maybe get into the first team for the odd game toward the end of the season. When the call came at Huddersfield, I was over the moon!"

Despite the result of that game, he was eager for more, and for a chance to make more of an impact on things. Of course, the chance came - by coincidence - against his home town team, Halifax. "Walking out there, I had goose-bumps," he confides. "I had a good run though, playing more than half an hour. We could have done more, and had a bigger margin, but at least we got the win."

I ask him about how he fits into the picture at the Bulls, especially in the light of Heath L'Estrange's recent contract extension. "I don't see it as a problem," he says, "I've learned so much from Matt [Diskin] and Heath, but I still have a lot to learn. I aim to be the kind of hooker who can create something and make metres for the team. When some of the current players move on, we have a good nucleus of younger players ready to step up, and I want to be one of them!"

As someone so determined to succeed, he is of course delighted to have BullBuilder supporting young players like himself. "I didn't go on the Challenge for Change event that BullBuilder sponsored - that was for the junior Academy players - but I've been there with the England Academy and it's certainly a great way to bring a team together. This is the sort of area where you can definitely help!"

For the sake of Adam and other bright young Bulls stars, that's just what we're going to do!"

If you want to put those seasons behind you when the Bulls just weren't at the races, what better way to do it than to support BullBuilder in their efforts to get the team's juniors up and running, and heading for the winner's enclosure?

For one night only, the Legends' Suite in Odsal's Coral Stand will be transformed into Royal Ascot as it hosts a Race Night on Wednesday 4^th May for BullBuilder members and other Bulls supporters.

You'll be able to enjoy the thrill of the Sport of Kings, and the excitement of a flutter on your favourite horse - or Bull! - safe in the knowledge that, even if you don't scoop the jackpot, all profits will go to support the Bulls' junior players.

With recordings of seven races, we'll be operating a Tote system of betting. But the fun doesn't stop there: many of the Bulls' players will be adopting horses and we will be inviting them to attend in person, so you can show your support for your favourite player as well as your judgement of horseflesh by backing them and cheering them on.

Just to add a little spice to the evening, in the lead up to that weekend's Challenge Cup game, we'll also be inviting the Halifax Supporters' Trust members to come and join us!

Entry is free to BullBuilder Members, while anyone else is welcome to pay £5 on the door, or to get in free by joining BullBuilder on the night. Under-18s are welcome to attend, but will not be able to place bets.

All profits from the event will be used by BullBuilder to support junior development at the club. Already we have funded team-building activities and bought gym equipment, and we have big plans to make sure that we continue to give the club the edge in attracting, retaining and nurturing the very best young talent.

Come and support us. You'll have a great time - that's a racing certainty!