I have had the pleasure of playing rugby since I was 4 years old and quite simply it has played a huge part in making me who I am today. This is from playing the game itself, which I love, and has taken me all over the world playing in various teams and across countries in 5 continents (only South America to go – maybe a tour is in order). I have played, coached, refereed and have taken the opportunity to play wherever I can. The social side that has meant having lifelong friends from the moment you first step on a pitch with each other. Finally, in work as it provides you a network of top people that you can always rely on.

Life outside East Grinstead RFC

As a new member of the club joining this season, I have recently moved to Lingfield with my girlfriend Katherine (I think she’s put up with me for coming up 5 years). I work in two investment companies – one focused on property in the leisure sector; and the second a Fintech business launching in 2020 which is aiming to deliver a digital bank for corporate entities that utilise both traditional and digital assets. I continue to try and become an alright golfer and still have aspirations of playing in the PDC World Darts Championship.

Who’s your favourite player and why?

Jason Leonard (surprising when I was a full back early in my rugby career – makes much more sense now I play in the front row). This is a guy who suffered a broken neck and then came back and won the Grand Slam, went on to be the highest capped player in the World (at that point), made the transition from amateur era to the professional era, played both loose and tighthead at the very highest level and continues to be an inspiration with his work within rugby and outside with his charitable foundations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Leonard

What’s your favourite rugby moment?

Personally – Unfortunately, they didn’t have YouTube when I was playing. Early Career – Representing British Army (Germany) vs The Netherlands and singing the national anthem before the match. In January 2015, I was just leaving to go to Dubai and played my last game for Wimbledon 3rd XV before leaving. I played 70 minutes and 10, then moved to loosehead so I could tick off 1-15 for the season. The comment from the opposition tighthead as we set for my first scrum suggested he was about to destroy me as a flyhalf trying to play prop – as we destroyed their pack in the scrum I let him know that I was filling in at 10 and not the other way around. Recent – playing in the Dubai International Vets Tournament – and still being alive after Alesana Tuilagi came on a switch into my channel. I promise you I closed my eyes and hit him as hard as I thought I could – I stopped him dead (although I was a long way backwards after the contact). In Rugby – Rugby World Cup Final, the sequence of play leading to the winning drop goal was just awesome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XmLqZy_kTQ

What’s your advice to younger East Grinstead RFC players coming through?

I have had the pleasure of coaching various teams and I think the one thing I learnt was by getting players to ask themselves, “What are you trying to achieve?”. IF you are calling a move – what do you want to achieve by completing it; calling a lineout; clearing a ruck; running a line – I think it offers so much clarity and I have taken that sentiment into my work as well.

What is the Best Thing About EGRFC?

Having only been at the club a short while I am probably not able to answer this as well as others, but I will link back to my thoughts on the “Fun Bus” Jason Leonard – the club has obviously had its challenges in years past, but the rugby ethos lives on and the club is more important than any one individual and seeing the youngsters making their way in the 1st XV is great to see and offers a bright future. (Don’t forget there is still a place for old, horrible, gnarly players as well).