An option that I was looking into as an output for this major documentary project has recently fallen through, having conducted an interview with the two remaining Australians, they appeared clearly disappointed about their compatriot Jayson Lombardo heading home early. And as a result I have decided to abandon the plan of creating an article for publication within the All Golds match-day programme, instead I will be pursuing the output of creating a digital Slideshow, which will feature an audio recording from Josh & Brendon. Below is the script that I have produced from the interview that was previously undertaken, I will get this recorded this week to be played over the slideshow of images.
In Australia we were introduced to a sporting lifestyle from an early age, with an interest in cricket & soccer developing before discovering ‘footy’ (Rugby League) at about 5 years old. Both growing up in New South Wales were playing around 160km apart from each other, working through the youth grades of the Newcastle Knights & Sydney Roosters.
The opportunity to play abroad for myself came through the production of a video highlights package, that was distributed to the English clubs by my agent, although through family members I was already in contact with Lee Greenwood about the All Golds.
The three of us arrived in England soon after the new year's celebrations to join in pre-season preparations in Gloucestershire, with the first thing we were greeted by freezing -5 temperatures at the airport! The team provided a warm welcome and we’ve become friends with some great characters, Cheltenham has also been a pleasant, quiet town to settle into, with a modern house in Montpellier where we can relax and enjoy the nightlife, much less busier than Sydney!
The opportunity to play abroad for myself came through the production of a video highlights package, that was distributed to the English clubs by my agent, although through family members I was already in contact with Lee Greenwood about the All Golds.
The three of us arrived in England soon after the new year's celebrations to join in pre-season preparations in Gloucestershire, with the first thing we were greeted by freezing -5 temperatures at the airport! The team provided a warm welcome and we’ve become friends with some great characters, Cheltenham has also been a pleasant, quiet town to settle into, with a modern house in Montpellier where we can relax and enjoy the nightlife, much less busier than Sydney!
The standard of rugby league is noticeably different over here, with the intensity of training sessions a lot less consistent with players from diverse backgrounds, We only meet up three times a week to train as a team alternating between skills and strength. At home we were introduced to certain playing systems from an early age which improved our skill levels as we grew up with no obvious north/south divide to content with.
The victories at Crusaders and against Newcastle are highlights of a very hot and cold season on the pitch, it was great to get a cup run going which we have risked a lot to be apart of, finding part time work, investing our own money and giving up everything we had at home, leaving friends and family 10,000 miles away. The low point was seeing Jayson unfairly head back home, the house is definitely quieter without him here leaving us with a lot to think about and a determination for success on the pitch of a different continent.
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