Latest news with #Kalyn
Sydney Morning Herald
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
The special Ponga father-son bond at the heart of an unusual league family
'It is because of these tribulations that we are a very emotional and close-knit family. It is also because of these tribulations that I have worked to keeping this family surrounded by positive people, family, friends and living life with simplicity.' Andre admitted at the time that he would struggle to let Kalyn go and be managed by someone else, such is their bond. It turned out he couldn't in the long term, and has managed the latter part of his son's career. 'I can honestly say that I have learnt a lot about myself as a father through Kalyn's athletic prowesses over the past 12 months through the NRL, rugby and AFL club interests and yourselves as player agents,' he wrote. 'The emotional attachment with my son is stronger than I have realised through our tribulations and that besides family and friends I am finding it very difficult to entrust other people with him especially in a future possible long term arrangement.' Andre set down the following ground rules: Dad will officially assist Kalyn with any decision making up to the age of 21 or when dad and Kalyn feels comfortable that Kalyn is comfortable on his own. The agent chosen will embark on a 2 year agreement for the duration of his 1st agreement. Andre's openness about his bond with Kalyn is eye-opening. 'I hope that you will appreciate for our family it is not about Kalyn as an athlete but Kalyn our son being a good person in life and most importantly upholding the PONGA name steadfast,' Andre wrote. And here is the snap quiz that Andre had for the agents. Kalyn holds a national title and has made 2 national teams in the past 3 years. What sport and teams? And what year did he make these? How long has Kalyn been playing rugby league? What's Kalyn's nickname? What foot does Kalyn favour to kick with in footy? Name 5 attributes that you see in Kalyn as an athlete. Name 5 attributes that you see in Kalyn as a person. What league club is Kalyn currently playing for? What NRL club [does] Kalyn [have an] agreement with? What school is Kalyn currently attending and where did he attend before that? What is Kalyn's brother name? What is Kalyn's birthdate? Where was Kalyn born? State and town? What is Kalyn's favoured stepping foot? Having met Kalyn, what do you think his priority is at the moment as a 15-year-old? Knowing you have observed Kalyn in a rugby league environment, what are your thoughts of Kalyn playing rugby union because of his schooling commitments? Are you an accredited manager? How can you guide Kalyn sourcing an apprenticeship or university after Kalyn finishes school especially if Kalyn is taken on by a club after school? E.g. through to end of Holden Cup. List in a ladder form [with the] best club first and so on which you think [provides] the best opportunities [for] a young footballer moving forward? Then Kalyn chimes in with his own questions. What position do you see me playing in the future? How long have you been managing for? Where are you based? Did you play footy? If so, who for? How long? What position? How did you get into management? What sports do you manage? Why do you manage? Who are some of your players you manage and what sport? When had you first noticed me, where? Why do you want me? Then it's over to mum, Adine. What do you see in my son? What is your philosophy of being a player agent? What is your philosophy of a player under your management? How will you help my son with rugby league? What is your role as a manager? Andre's final message to the agents didn't age well, given he is still Kalyn's manager: 'If I wanted someone to build me a house I would not get a butcher to build it, therefore I would not manage Kalyn's affairs, that's what a player manager is for.' Bulldogs already had Hayward lined up to replace Sexton Cameron Ciraldo knows that if he wants the rain that Lachie Galvin can bring, he has to be prepared for the mud as well. If he doesn't know that he can be sure that his general manager, Phil Gould, will remind him, because it's one of his favourite sayings. Galvin was brought in to be the Bulldogs' No.7, but even if he wasn't there now there is a good chance that Bailey Hayward would have replaced Toby Sexton for yesterday's clash with the Dragons. The run to the finals started after Origin III, and with the Bulldogs' attack spluttering, the club was always looking at this moment to make a change. Galvin is not a natural or traditional No.7, but he is a threat. Twenty-year-olds don't always make the correct decision, but Canterbury are looking for some spark and unpredictability. It's a risk, but the Bulldogs are only considered a puncher's chance of claiming the NRL title this year, so they may as well throw a few haymakers. What has been fun to watch are the Sexton supporters in the media who have gone quiet after statistics emerged showing his shortcomings. But those stats have been available for weeks, and they have been ignored because it didn't suit the anti-Galvin, anti- Isaac Moses (Galvin's manager), anti-Gould narrative. It was far more click-friendly to cheer for Sexton and criticise Galvin. That will bubble forth again the moment Galvin or the Bulldogs stumble. A right Royal mistake Who at the NRL thought letting Mike Tindall mix with the best Origin players was a good idea? English rugby great Tindall and his royal wife, Zara Tindall, were sitting next to Nicole Slater, the wife of Queensland Origin coach Billy, at the decider in Sydney. Tindall is heavily involved with R360, the Saudi-funded rugby union competition that is being painted as a threat to the 15-man and 13-man codes. We know they have an interest in a range of league players, including Ryan Papenhuyzen. Yet, Tindall was treated like royalty (I know) and was mingling with players on the field and in the Maroons dressing room after the match. It was odd to stay the least. Storm's real star power If you want an insight into why the Melbourne Storm are such a great club, take a look at this photo (below) taken after the Origin decider in Sydney. Yes, it's dripping with star players and an all-time great coach and football manager. But the story behind the picture says even more. They made a pre-Origin pact that no matter the result all the Storm representatives would meet in the tunnel between the NSW and Queensland dressing rooms after the series to have a beer. They were true to their word, and it was a sign they are focused on the next task at hand, winning the NRL title. What this photo doesn't show is that one of the club's former great leaders, Cameron Smith, was also having a celebratory catch-up with his old club mates. Wrestle mania Dolphins utility Jake Averillo is not the only member of his family making a sporting splash. His sister, Mel, who is 190cm tall, is making her mark with Pro Wrestling Australia. She is hugely popular with those who follow the sport. Act of Todd Todd Payten's problems at the Cowboys stem back to a hardline stance he took on Jason Taumalolo. He had board backing at the time, but it led to ructions in the playing group after Payten benched the giant forward. It is worth noting that Taumalolo's management group is the same one that is pitching Sharks assistant coach Josh Hannay to rival NRL clubs as a buy-now-or-risk-missing-out commodity.
The Age
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
The special Ponga father-son bond at the heart of an unusual league family
'It is because of these tribulations that we are a very emotional and close-knit family. It is also because of these tribulations that I have worked to keeping this family surrounded by positive people, family, friends and living life with simplicity.' Andre admitted at the time that he would struggle to let Kalyn go and be managed by someone else, such is their bond. It turned out he couldn't in the long term, and has managed the latter part of his son's career. 'I can honestly say that I have learnt a lot about myself as a father through Kalyn's athletic prowesses over the past 12 months through the NRL, rugby and AFL club interests and yourselves as player agents,' he wrote. 'The emotional attachment with my son is stronger than I have realised through our tribulations and that besides family and friends I am finding it very difficult to entrust other people with him especially in a future possible long term arrangement.' Andre set down the following ground rules: Dad will officially assist Kalyn with any decision making up to the age of 21 or when dad and Kalyn feels comfortable that Kalyn is comfortable on his own. The agent chosen will embark on a 2 year agreement for the duration of his 1st agreement. Andre's openness about his bond with Kalyn is eye-opening. 'I hope that you will appreciate for our family it is not about Kalyn as an athlete but Kalyn our son being a good person in life and most importantly upholding the PONGA name steadfast,' Andre wrote. And here is the snap quiz that Andre had for the agents. Kalyn holds a national title and has made 2 national teams in the past 3 years. What sport and teams? And what year did he make these? How long has Kalyn been playing rugby league? What's Kalyn's nickname? What foot does Kalyn favour to kick with in footy? Name 5 attributes that you see in Kalyn as an athlete. Name 5 attributes that you see in Kalyn as a person. What league club is Kalyn currently playing for? What NRL club [does] Kalyn [have an] agreement with? What school is Kalyn currently attending and where did he attend before that? What is Kalyn's brother name? What is Kalyn's birthdate? Where was Kalyn born? State and town? What is Kalyn's favoured stepping foot? Having met Kalyn, what do you think his priority is at the moment as a 15-year-old? Knowing you have observed Kalyn in a rugby league environment, what are your thoughts of Kalyn playing rugby union because of his schooling commitments? Are you an accredited manager? How can you guide Kalyn sourcing an apprenticeship or university after Kalyn finishes school especially if Kalyn is taken on by a club after school? E.g. through to end of Holden Cup. List in a ladder form [with the] best club first and so on which you think [provides] the best opportunities [for] a young footballer moving forward? Then Kalyn chimes in with his own questions. What position do you see me playing in the future? How long have you been managing for? Where are you based? Did you play footy? If so, who for? How long? What position? How did you get into management? What sports do you manage? Why do you manage? Who are some of your players you manage and what sport? When had you first noticed me, where? Why do you want me? Then it's over to mum, Adine. What do you see in my son? What is your philosophy of being a player agent? What is your philosophy of a player under your management? How will you help my son with rugby league? What is your role as a manager? Andre's final message to the agents didn't age well, given he is still Kalyn's manager: 'If I wanted someone to build me a house I would not get a butcher to build it, therefore I would not manage Kalyn's affairs, that's what a player manager is for.' Bulldogs already had Hayward lined up to replace Sexton Cameron Ciraldo knows that if he wants the rain that Lachie Galvin can bring, he has to be prepared for the mud as well. If he doesn't know that he can be sure that his general manager, Phil Gould, will remind him, because it's one of his favourite sayings. Galvin was brought in to be the Bulldogs' No.7, but even if he wasn't there now there is a good chance that Bailey Hayward would have replaced Toby Sexton for yesterday's clash with the Dragons. The run to the finals started after Origin III, and with the Bulldogs' attack spluttering, the club was always looking at this moment to make a change. Galvin is not a natural or traditional No.7, but he is a threat. Twenty-year-olds don't always make the correct decision, but Canterbury are looking for some spark and unpredictability. It's a risk, but the Bulldogs are only considered a puncher's chance of claiming the NRL title this year, so they may as well throw a few haymakers. What has been fun to watch are the Sexton supporters in the media who have gone quiet after statistics emerged showing his shortcomings. But those stats have been available for weeks, and they have been ignored because it didn't suit the anti-Galvin, anti- Isaac Moses (Galvin's manager), anti-Gould narrative. It was far more click-friendly to cheer for Sexton and criticise Galvin. That will bubble forth again the moment Galvin or the Bulldogs stumble. A right Royal mistake Who at the NRL thought letting Mike Tindall mix with the best Origin players was a good idea? English rugby great Tindall and his royal wife, Zara Tindall, were sitting next to Nicole Slater, the wife of Queensland Origin coach Billy, at the decider in Sydney. Tindall is heavily involved with R360, the Saudi-funded rugby union competition that is being painted as a threat to the 15-man and 13-man codes. We know they have an interest in a range of league players, including Ryan Papenhuyzen. Yet, Tindall was treated like royalty (I know) and was mingling with players on the field and in the Maroons dressing room after the match. It was odd to stay the least. Storm's real star power If you want an insight into why the Melbourne Storm are such a great club, take a look at this photo (below) taken after the Origin decider in Sydney. Yes, it's dripping with star players and an all-time great coach and football manager. But the story behind the picture says even more. They made a pre-Origin pact that no matter the result all the Storm representatives would meet in the tunnel between the NSW and Queensland dressing rooms after the series to have a beer. They were true to their word, and it was a sign they are focused on the next task at hand, winning the NRL title. What this photo doesn't show is that one of the club's former great leaders, Cameron Smith, was also having a celebratory catch-up with his old club mates. Wrestle mania Dolphins utility Jake Averillo is not the only member of his family making a sporting splash. His sister, Mel, who is 190cm tall, is making her mark with Pro Wrestling Australia. She is hugely popular with those who follow the sport. Act of Todd Todd Payten's problems at the Cowboys stem back to a hardline stance he took on Jason Taumalolo. He had board backing at the time, but it led to ructions in the playing group after Payten benched the giant forward. It is worth noting that Taumalolo's management group is the same one that is pitching Sharks assistant coach Josh Hannay to rival NRL clubs as a buy-now-or-risk-missing-out commodity.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ponga won't win Newcastle a title, so let him leave. This 20-year rot is the real issue
Now, Ponga is 27, and he has always been ambitious, wanting to win a premiership or challenge himself at the top level in either code – league or union. The challenge of trying to play for the All Blacks is obviously appealing, and Ponga's Maori heritage and links to New Zealand are important to him. The cold, hard fact is he won't win a premiership at Newcastle. Several senior players – Leo Thompson, Jackson Hastings, Jayden Brailey, Adam Elliott and Jack Hetherington – are going to follow Daniel Saifiti out the door and another rebuild looms. From my point of view, if Kalyn requests a release from the last two years of his contract, I say goodbye, good luck and thank you for your service to the Knights. He is a phenomenal, freakish athlete and probably deserves to be on the world stage that rugby can offer. He's attracted other players to Newcastle and helped deliver sponsors. If he truly wants to go to rugby, it's time to let him go. The massive worry for Newcastle if Kalyn leaves at the end of this season is what does 2026 look like? Fletcher Sharpe would move to fullback, where his support play and speed are great assets, while Dylan Brown would play five-eighth or halfback on the richest deal in rugby league history. But who would be his halves partner? I genuinely don't know who fits best alongside him. And with Brailey off to Canberra, the club sees Phoenix Crossland as a small No.13 going forward. So the only other dummy-half on the books is Matt Arthur, who has played one game this year and is yet to prove himself. The Knights missed out on Tallyn Da Silva. That's two positions in your playmaking spine where you don't know what the plan is. Putting it politely, it's a complete mess. Five recruitment managers in six years Again, the club is apparently moving on from O'Brien, who seems to be on his last legs after taking Newcastle to four top-eight finishes in his five full seasons at the club. Finals football looks beyond them in 2025. I think O'Brien has done a good job under extreme pressure in a league-mad town. Those results speak to something like stability on the field, but he has been let down terribly by instability around him. Jack Gibson's old quote about winning starting in the front office rings so loud when you consider the five different recruitment managers Newcastle have had since 2018. For a while, the Knights were averaging a new man in charge every 12 months, in arguably the most important position outside head coach. In 2018, Troy Pezet was shaping the roster. Then Alex McKinnon took over in 2019. By 2021, it was Clint Zammit calling the shots. Then Adam Doyle stepped in when Zammit went to the Roosters. General manager Peter Parr ended up running recruitment when Doyle wrapped up, and now it's Peter O'Sullivan undertaking a massive overhaul. Each recruitment man arrives with a different idea of what player suits the Knights DNA, and what that Knights DNA even looks like. We see it at a club like Brisbane, with a great history of attacking players, who recruit and develop players like Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam. The Panthers have long been a grinding, tough side, where a guy like Liam Martin thrives. The Storm are strong, disciplined and very defence-orientated, especially around the ruck. Craig Bellamy works his magic with tough, no-frills forwards. Canberra are an unorthodox team. They've recruited players who can offload up front, and surrounded them with speed from players such as Kaeo Weekes, Xavier Savage, Chevy Stewart and Ethan Strange. Each of these clubs are in the top six and going to play a massive part in this year's premiership race. 75 per cent: Development is the Knights DNA Then there's Newcastle. The club has always been built on local juniors. This year, the club is running 14th in the NRL, 11th in NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg (under-21s) and 10th in SG Ball (under-19s), where the Knights have otherwise played finals in recent years. The Harold Matthews (under-17s squad) were runners up to the Warriors in May. These are the kids the club needs to identify and coach the eyeballs out of, because there just hasn't been a progression of local juniors to first grade in the past six years. This isn't O'Brien's fault. But this is where Newcastle need to rebuild – going right back to the very evening the Knights played their first game in 1988 and the club's DNA was set in stone with the 'three T's'. Inaugural coach Allan McMahon, understudy David Waite and juniors coach Keith Onslow came in with the mantra that you had to be tough, you had to be able to tackle, and you had to have plenty of tomorrows – meaning you had a future ahead of you. They came in with a 10-year plan, that by 1998, 75 per cent of the Newcastle side would be locals. In 1997, we won the club's first premiership with 11 of the 17 players in the grand final team local juniors. It was the same number in 2001. The Knights are a development club, built from within because they just can't compete with richer, more powerful rivals. It's time to blow up the junior system and ask Waite and Onslow how to do it. Because the Knights have Brown arriving on a $13 million contract next year, when the club should never have to import a half or hooker. Places like Newcastle, the coalfields where I'm from, the Upper Hunter, Central Coast and Mid North Coast are rugby-league mad regions. But the Knights haven't produced a representative-class halfback since Jarrod Mullen came into the NRL in 2005. Danny Buderus was the last representative-level dummy half from the region, more than 20 years ago. The system is broken. Whoever the next coach of the Knights is, they're facing a huge challenge, and it will probably be years before they can challenge for premierships. And if Ponga leaves, it will just amplify the pressure on Brown. Be patient Newcastle fans. I feel for you. We're in for another rebuild. Why young halves need to study Tom Dearden Onto the footy, and the Dolphins should have beaten Cronulla last week. If Jeremy Marshall-King dived on the ball that Toby Rudolf batted dead, that result would have gone the other way. Even with Isaiya Katoa pulling the strings and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow coming back, I'm always drawn to Gorden Tallis' favourite line: forwards win the game; the backs decide by how much. The Dolphins are hurting up front, with Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Felise Kaufusi and Tom Flegler – all representative forwards – sidelined. Given they're joined by Max Plath, Jack Bostock, Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, that injury toll has me thinking Thursday night is a bridge too far for the home side. Like the Dolphins, North Queensland could easily have beaten the Bulldogs last weekend, and I think their Origin players will be freshened up this week for a fast, open game that favours attacking skills. I see Scott Drinkwater, Tom Dearden and Reece Robson getting the Cowboys home. And on Dearden, it's incredible to think how far he's come from his first few years at the Broncos. I watched him closely as a young talented half, and that wooden spoon run in 2020 seemed to break him – he just looked so devoid of any confidence, and he's admitted that. Then you look at the way Dearden, Todd Payten and the club have rebuilt him into the playmaker he is now. I think his Origin III showing will go down as one of Queensland's classic individual performances – just pure toughness and competitiveness, with Dearden's kicking game and ball playing improving out of sight.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Ponga won't win Newcastle a title, so let him leave. This 20-year rot is the real issue
Now, Ponga is 27, and he has always been ambitious, wanting to win a premiership or challenge himself at the top level in either code – league or union. The challenge of trying to play for the All Blacks is obviously appealing, and Ponga's Maori heritage and links to New Zealand are important to him. The cold, hard fact is he won't win a premiership at Newcastle. Several senior players – Leo Thompson, Jackson Hastings, Jayden Brailey, Adam Elliott and Jack Hetherington – are going to follow Daniel Saifiti out the door and another rebuild looms. From my point of view, if Kalyn requests a release from the last two years of his contract, I say goodbye, good luck and thank you for your service to the Knights. He is a phenomenal, freakish athlete and probably deserves to be on the world stage that rugby can offer. He's attracted other players to Newcastle and helped deliver sponsors. If he truly wants to go to rugby, it's time to let him go. The massive worry for Newcastle if Kalyn leaves at the end of this season is what does 2026 look like? Fletcher Sharpe would move to fullback, where his support play and speed are great assets, while Dylan Brown would play five-eighth or halfback on the richest deal in rugby league history. But who would be his halves partner? I genuinely don't know who fits best alongside him. And with Brailey off to Canberra, the club sees Phoenix Crossland as a small No.13 going forward. So the only other dummy-half on the books is Matt Arthur, who has played one game this year and is yet to prove himself. The Knights missed out on Tallyn Da Silva. That's two positions in your playmaking spine where you don't know what the plan is. Putting it politely, it's a complete mess. Five recruitment managers in six years Again, the club is apparently moving on from O'Brien, who seems to be on his last legs after taking Newcastle to four top-eight finishes in his five full seasons at the club. Finals football looks beyond them in 2025. I think O'Brien has done a good job under extreme pressure in a league-mad town. Those results speak to something like stability on the field, but he has been let down terribly by instability around him. Jack Gibson's old quote about winning starting in the front office rings so loud when you consider the five different recruitment managers Newcastle have had since 2018. For a while, the Knights were averaging a new man in charge every 12 months, in arguably the most important position outside head coach. In 2018, Troy Pezet was shaping the roster. Then Alex McKinnon took over in 2019. By 2021, it was Clint Zammit calling the shots. Then Adam Doyle stepped in when Zammit went to the Roosters. General manager Peter Parr ended up running recruitment when Doyle wrapped up, and now it's Peter O'Sullivan undertaking a massive overhaul. Each recruitment man arrives with a different idea of what player suits the Knights DNA, and what that Knights DNA even looks like. We see it at a club like Brisbane, with a great history of attacking players, who recruit and develop players like Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam. The Panthers have long been a grinding, tough side, where a guy like Liam Martin thrives. The Storm are strong, disciplined and very defence-orientated, especially around the ruck. Craig Bellamy works his magic with tough, no-frills forwards. Canberra are an unorthodox team. They've recruited players who can offload up front, and surrounded them with speed from players such as Kaeo Weekes, Xavier Savage, Chevy Stewart and Ethan Strange. Each of these clubs are in the top six and going to play a massive part in this year's premiership race. 75 per cent: Development is the Knights DNA Then there's Newcastle. The club has always been built on local juniors. This year, the club is running 14th in the NRL, 11th in NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg (under-21s) and 10th in SG Ball (under-19s), where the Knights have otherwise played finals in recent years. The Harold Matthews (under-17s squad) were runners up to the Warriors in May. These are the kids the club needs to identify and coach the eyeballs out of, because there just hasn't been a progression of local juniors to first grade in the past six years. This isn't O'Brien's fault. But this is where Newcastle need to rebuild – going right back to the very evening the Knights played their first game in 1988 and the club's DNA was set in stone with the 'three T's'. Inaugural coach Allan McMahon, understudy David Waite and juniors coach Keith Onslow came in with the mantra that you had to be tough, you had to be able to tackle, and you had to have plenty of tomorrows – meaning you had a future ahead of you. They came in with a 10-year plan, that by 1998, 75 per cent of the Newcastle side would be locals. In 1997, we won the club's first premiership with 11 of the 17 players in the grand final team local juniors. It was the same number in 2001. The Knights are a development club, built from within because they just can't compete with richer, more powerful rivals. It's time to blow up the junior system and ask Waite and Onslow how to do it. Because the Knights have Brown arriving on a $13 million contract next year, when the club should never have to import a half or hooker. Places like Newcastle, the coalfields where I'm from, the Upper Hunter, Central Coast and Mid North Coast are rugby-league mad regions. But the Knights haven't produced a representative-class halfback since Jarrod Mullen came into the NRL in 2005. Danny Buderus was the last representative-level dummy half from the region, more than 20 years ago. The system is broken. Whoever the next coach of the Knights is, they're facing a huge challenge, and it will probably be years before they can challenge for premierships. And if Ponga leaves, it will just amplify the pressure on Brown. Be patient Newcastle fans. I feel for you. We're in for another rebuild. Why young halves need to study Tom Dearden Onto the footy, and the Dolphins should have beaten Cronulla last week. If Jeremy Marshall-King dived on the ball that Toby Rudolf batted dead, that result would have gone the other way. Even with Isaiya Katoa pulling the strings and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow coming back, I'm always drawn to Gorden Tallis' favourite line: forwards win the game; the backs decide by how much. The Dolphins are hurting up front, with Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Felise Kaufusi and Tom Flegler – all representative forwards – sidelined. Given they're joined by Max Plath, Jack Bostock, Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, that injury toll has me thinking Thursday night is a bridge too far for the home side. Like the Dolphins, North Queensland could easily have beaten the Bulldogs last weekend, and I think their Origin players will be freshened up this week for a fast, open game that favours attacking skills. I see Scott Drinkwater, Tom Dearden and Reece Robson getting the Cowboys home. And on Dearden, it's incredible to think how far he's come from his first few years at the Broncos. I watched him closely as a young talented half, and that wooden spoon run in 2020 seemed to break him – he just looked so devoid of any confidence, and he's admitted that. Then you look at the way Dearden, Todd Payten and the club have rebuilt him into the playmaker he is now. I think his Origin III showing will go down as one of Queensland's classic individual performances – just pure toughness and competitiveness, with Dearden's kicking game and ball playing improving out of sight.
Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
American living in UK names one British food 'the rest of the world needs'
A US expat living in the UK lauded the "very versatile" breakfast staple, although she conceded that she viewed it as "war food" when she first arrived in the country A US expat living in the UK has included a much-loved UK cereal on a list of British things the "rest of the world really needs". Kalyn, who has lived in the UK for around a decade, operates the Girl Gone London channel on YouTube, covering everything from UK and American cultural differences to local cuisine. She highlighted the food in question in a recent video titled '9 British things the rest of the world really needs'. In it, Kalyn praises various things she's noticed in the UK, from brown tourist signs to bunting. One of the foods to make the list, however, was a popular cereal that she described as "very versatile", although she conceded that she viewed it as "war food" when she first arrived in the UK. Kalyn said: "The next one on my list is Weetabix, which I did think was basically war food the first time I moved to the UK, but here's the thing about Weetabix..." She continued: "We don't really have it in the US, and it's very versatile. So, you're not entirely sure what to do with it as an American when you first encounter it. "Some people actually eat it like dry with butter, which I haven't tried, but that's what I would have assumed that you were supposed to do with it." She added that most people add milk to make it "mushy and like a cereal" before describing the various ways you can enjoy the breakfast favourite, including making it "very mushy like a porridge." Kalyn highlighted how you can tailor this depending on your personal preferences, making it "mushy in the middle but not mushy on the outside" or even the "opposite", adding that you can "just do lots of things with it". Weetabix first went into production in 1932, when Bennison Osbourne and Malcolm MacFarlane (the founders) secured a disused flour mill in Burton Latimer to begin producing the iconic cereal. In the Second World War, the sale of Weetabix was limited to the North East and the Midlands, an act of being 'zoned' to limit waste and boost efficiency until the end of wartime rationing. Burton Latimer houses mills that export to more than 80 countries around the world. In 2012, the Chinese firm Bright Food purchased a 60 per cent stake in the company as part of a £1.2bn deal. Kalyn wasn't the only person to notice the cereal's versatility. It was also used as an ingredient in the 1950s, and its use beyond the breakfast table continues to this day. In the official recipe book, fans can learn how to use Weetbix and Oatibix to make pancakes, smoothies, snack bars, protein balls, a coating for chicken, mac 'n cheese, and even cheesecake.
