In 2011 when Derby City RLFC moved to Haslams, the home of Derby RFU, little did we know it would take us all the way to Sydney. When playing the game of rugby league was mentioned and Toby, our son, decided he wanted to have a go I broke the news to his mother the rugby season was not quite over as league is a summer game. "Well it will keep him off the play station." was the reply.

Derby City as a club has been in existence for nearly three decades playing at various locations around Derby. Having a strong junior presence, not something consistently possible outside the heartland areas of the game, is necessary and essential for the game to continue. The heart and soul of community clubs are its volunteers, whether they are coaches, team managers, first aid, safeguarding officials or parents and often multiple roles are held by one or two individuals.

Coaching at Derby City commenced under Ray and Elaine Bland and Neil Mitchell among others and opportunities for Toby to play with Derby were at festivals, with his first on a hot day at Telford. The results are not important as the priority was for players to work as a team and gain experience. At this time there was more funding from the RFL with Community Rugby League Coaches including Kane Krlic, George Strachan and others across the Midlands and a remit to spread the game into non-heartland areas. Teams still in existence now provided competition though the emphasis was on playing opportunities rather than results.

Toby developed a love of rugby league to the exclusion of much else and spent a year with the Midlands Academy in Loughborough. Even though he did not continue with this group, the opportunities continued and Toby played with Hillsborough Hawkes in Sheffield, then Dearne Valley Bulldogs (and trained with Derby University RL to maintain his involvement) which led to a season with Sheffield Eagles Academy in 2015 and the following year with Coventry Bears Academy, both playing in the Conference League South.

Playing for Scotland was mentioned and as his grandmother was from the Isle of Lewis, Toby was eligible to play for the nation. After a trial in Bradford he was invited to the U 19s Scotland squad where he spent two seasons ending up as captain. With University beckoning Toby decided on Northumbria (who again won the RL British Universities and Colleges Sports competition in 2017) allowing Toby to test himself against other team mates and as a team and continue his international career with Scotland Students, first in the Four Nations competition in June 2016.

In 2017 Toby started training with Keighley Reserves and with the Scotland Students Head Coach, Nathan Graham also coaching the Championship One club, strong bonds were made. The Festival of World Cups in Sydney and the realisation that Toby may be selected for the squad meant a decision had to be made whether just Toby was to go or the whole family and it was not a difficult decision; after all watching a member of your family represent your mother's nation at international sport is not an every day occurrence and life is there to be lived. Toby has suffered more than his fair share of injuries, though has been able to overcome these, not least surgery in April; however I'm not sure he has lessened his use of electronic media!

Mention must go to the dedicated group of people leading and coaching the students so far from home particularly Nathan Graham and Keith and Victoria Hogg and all the coaching/physio/support staff.

Alan Williams 2017

Editors note: Derby City are also incredibly lucky that the group of dedicated parents who joined the club in 2011 continue to run it to this day. Alan Williams, Grant Hunter, Jon Doughty, and Simon and Shirley Robinson.

See the picture gallery for more photos