I started playing Rugby at the age of 6 at West Leeds RUFC in Wortley. My Dad was a member and played socially in the 2^nd and 3^rd teams. I enjoyed playing a number of sports from a young age but mostly Rugby and Cricket. We didn’t play Rugby Union at school and I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play unless I joined a club team. We played a few Rugby League games at Farnley Park High School but it was mostly Football.

 

When I was 14 I began to take Rugby a bit more seriously because I had gained recognition at county level, playing for and captaining Central Yorkshire. I attribute an increase in my performance to training with the senior sides at West Leeds every Tuesday and Thursday evening. I began training with them from the age of 12 because my brother, Richard, had begun playing senior rugby so I went along with him. I learned a great deal from the experience, particularly how to cope with the physical aspects of the game.

 

At 15 I attended Yorkshire under 15’s trials. Coming from an unfashionable lower league club like West Leeds I was a reserve in one of the trial matches, but was given 20 minutes to show my skills at Scrum Half. I must have impressed because I was invited back for a final trial and then selected to play for Yorkshire. I was delighted because nobody from West Leeds had ever represented Yorkshire at junior level before. I had the honour of captaining the team that year and played for Yorkshire Schools, North of England and England ‘A’ the following year. My journey on the representative front had commenced.

 

As a result of playing for England ‘A’ at under 16 I was invited to study my A-Levels at Woodhouse Grove School, a public school in Bradford and a traditional Rugby Union playing school. As a boy from Farnley High School this was a big deal which I found very daunting. However, it was a fantastic opportunity so I didn’t hesitate to accept. I enjoyed 2 great years at WGS, captaining the 1^st XV in my 2^nd year. I also played cricket for the school’s 1^st XI. While at Woodhouse Grove, I also represented Yorkshire, North of England and England under 18’s, captaining England Vs France in France.

 

From school I was offered a full time academy contract at Sale Sharks where I spent 2 years there. During this time I represented England under 19’s, captaining the team Vs Ireland in the 6 nations and finishing 5^th in the under 19 World Cup in France. During my 2^nd season at Sale I endured a torrid time, breaking my foot in 3 places early in the season. On my return I re-fractured it and missed the entire season. I was released by Sale and made the move to Saracens for 1 season. After a lack of first team rugby I joined national one team Rotherham on loan. I was 21 and needed regular first team rugby.

 

We finished 4^th in my first season and then 2^nd, to Leeds, in my second year. By the second season I was club captain and also worked as the club’s community manager, working with over 1,000 young people per week. I combined Rugby with work for the first time and found the whole thing particularly rewarding. However, at the end of the season Leeds were promoted to the Premiership and offered me a contract.

 

In the 2007/08 season I played every game in the Premiership for Leeds, competing with some of the best players in the world. It was a dream come true for me; playing in the best league in the world for my home club. Sadly we were relegated to National one for another year but we immediately bounced back by winning the title at the first attempt.

 

Now we are in the Premiership again for the 2009/10 season but unfortunately I have been hampered by injury; suffering ruptured ankle ligaments which required surgery. I’m still hopeful we can retain our place in the Premiership this year.

 

From my experiences I would advise all young people to play as many sports and as much sport as possible. Try to develop as many skills as you can transfer them to whichever sport you decide to play in the future. Always apply yourself to the best of your ability every time you train or play as you never know who is watching and what opportunities may arise as a result.

 

Cheers,

 

Joe.