Born in Plymouth, Devon, Hayter attended the University of Liverpool, where he achieved a BA degree in Economic and Social History, graduating in 1999.
[1] While attending the University of Liverpool, Hayter began his professional rugby career with nearby Orrell, where he spent three seasons.
After graduation, Hayter had the option of moving to Cambridge University or signing for professional rugby clubs Coventry and Saracens; he preferred the option of going professional, but because of the number of hookers already on Saracens' books, he opted to play full-time with Coventry, where he would be coached by his England Under-21s coach, Keith Richardson.
[2][3] Saracens' manager at the time, Mark Evans, became chief executive at Harlequins in 2000, and made an approach to sign Hayter in April 2001.
However, after the arrival of Mahonri Schwalger at the West Wales region, Hayter was deemed surplus to requirements and was one of four players released by the Scarlets at the end of the 2007–08 season.