Dean Mignacca, Hornets Aussie, enjoying life in ‘lovely’ Rochdale

Dean Mignacca, Hornets

Australian Dean Mignacca has started a new journey in his career with his move to Rochdale Hornets and has been nothing but complimentary of the town since his arrival.

“I think the town’s lovely, especially when it started snowing about a week ago,” he said.

“I live near the Town Hall, which is a lovely historic building itself, but when it [snow] was falling on the steps it was actually quite beautiful and it was nothing like what I’m used to.”

“Everyone is really friendly and I’m happy, Rochdale has been quite enjoyable for me so far.”

The snow was one of the highlights of Mignacca’s stay so far in the UK and it is something he hadn’t experienced before back home.

“I lived near the beach (in Australia) so we never see snow.

“Even just opening my curtains to see snow; and like I said the steps going up to the church on top of the hill and the Town Hall was quite amazing.”

Mignacca is currently accommodated at the Flying Horse Hotel and was also complimentary of the people of Rochdale, explaining that landlord Ben Boothman and the whole family at the hotel have made him feel welcome.

That welcome feeling has come from all the people he has met so far in the town and he is getting to terms with life in the UK already, settling into his routine and getting used to the local delicacies, including black pudding, rag pudding and the odd real ale from the pub.

"The people of Rochdale are one of the main reasons I’m happy here, they have definitely made me feel welcome.''

His career at the Hornets so far has been stop-start, with games against St Helen's and Hunslet Hawks being cancelled due to the weather meaning he only has one game under his belt.

The extra weeks off have helped some players shake off minor injuries but it can affect the squad as they prepare themselves for a game, only to be disappointed.

“It gets you a little bit down at some times because you mentally prepare yourself for games, so when they do get called off it’s a bit tough", said Mignacca. 

“We’ve had more time to work on our skills in training, mentally it’s affected us a little bit but the games will come.”

His one game came against local amateurs Mayfield, a game in which he had to avoid a few head highs shots, nonetheless he felt the team stood up well to the challenge.

The nature of that 44-6 win wasn’t replicated afterwards though as members of both teams enjoyed a drink together, leaving what happened on the field out there.

Next up for Hornets is a first home game of 2015 against amateur side Thatto Heath, and the recent postponements have made the team hungry to get out on the pitch and play.

Mignacca said: “Everyone is really on edge and can’t wait to play, training has been good and everyone is focused so it should be a good game and a good hit out.”

Former Hornets player Ryan Millard is a friend of Mignacca’s and he played a big part in the Australian’s move to the club, recommending the club as a good place to play.

“My biggest goal is to win the competition, I’d like to help the team win and play as best as I can.

“My own personal goal is to advance my game and play full time but the most important thing is to take it a game at a time and try to better the team, that’s what I am here for.”