I started playing rugby when I was 9 years old. As an ‘large’ boy, rugby gave me a great way to get some exercise, have fun and put my bulk to good use. I continued to play through my years at school, becoming gradually taller and slimmer. Then as a 20 year old I met a powerlifter in the gym in the summer, and that changed everything. I started lifting weights with real purpose and intensity and I returned to rugby that autumn significantly stronger and faster!

My engineering degree involved a year of study in Stuttgart, Germany. International students can struggle with loneliness and homesickness, but the rugby club there served as a hub for the international community and was incredibly social. I remember very fondly enjoying a beer and Bratwurst after matches with players from Germany, France, New Zealand, USA, South Africa and others. The experience also showed me the slightly different attitude to nudity in Germany compared to the UK, as someone doing a post-match naked lap featured almost every week!

When I started working for Rolls-Royce in Warrington, I was welcomed with open arms by the rugby club there. Though I struggled to understand what they were saying through thick northern accents, I was blown away by the inclusiveness of the players, volunteers and supporters. As a 23 year old living alone in Warrington, rugby provided me with a social circle and an excellent way to pass the time at the weekend, which in turn helped me to be at my best at work.

Then when I moved to Derby to start a job a Rolls-Royce, the Rolls-Royce Rugby Club this time helped me to settle in Derby, providing many memorable nights out and bus trip shenanigans. It’s also provided me with a number of good friends and a really useful network within the company, which has helped many projects move that little bit quicker. I spend a lot of time at rugby organising matches, social events and training, and this reads across to work. I’ve learnt a lot about having back-up plans and using positivity to motivate people!

While waiting for surgery to reconstruct my anterior cruciate ligament, I embraced the role of enthusiastic supporter as my wife Anna took up rugby. I enjoyed driving to exotic destinations like Scunthorpe and there was a particularly memorable bus trip to Hull. Anna really enjoyed an environment in which she didn’t feel pressurised to be small and dainty, and instead relished being aggressive and smashing into people!

Rugby is a lifestyle choice. When I come into a work on Monday with a big black eye or with bits of mud still working their way out my ears, some people think I’m a bit strange. But when you walk off the field, exhausted, battered and bruised but having got the big win, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing on a Saturday afternoon. I’ve been playing rugby for over 20 years now, and though I know I can’t play forever, I will still be involved in rugby as long as I can be.

Being Captain has also opened my eyes about how common mental health problems are. Lots of people have things they are dealing with, and now I try to be more considerate in my interactions at work and at home. When I’ve had a tough day at work or other things are causing me stress, it’s great to go to rugby training to unwind and have a laugh and joke around with your friends. Nerves before kick-off can be frightening, but it’s the kind of experience that helps you grow. It’s also not just about the rugby: I started giving blood after being spurred on a group rugby donation; I’ve helped renovate our rugby club house and the houses of rugby teammates; and I’ve really developed as an individual from the leadership roles I have taken up at rugby clubs. And after being Club Captain for 2 years at Rolls-Royce, organising my wedding seemed a lot easier!

Rugby is suitable for everyone. At Rolls-Royce RFC we’ve had players who’ve never picked up a ball before learn the game and eventually play in the first team! We offer touch rugby sessions as well. And if you definitely don’t want to play, there’s nothing stopping you coming along to watch the matches and enjoying the nights out afterwards!