I first picked up a rugby ball at nine years old with the boys at Kingswood RFC, and I never looked back. Rugby quickly became a huge part of my life, giving me purpose and direction from an early age. I'm severely dyslexic, and school was something I always found difficult. Rugby gave me something I could throw myself into completely. It gave me confidence, and somewhere I felt I could succeed. Eighteen years later, I feel incredibly fortunate that rugby continues to bring so much positivity into my life. Many of the best opportunities, friendships, and experiences I’ve had have come through the game. Rugby has shaped who I am as a person, and it even led me to meeting my wife, which is something I will always be grateful for. Growing up, I was lucky to have a fantastic support network, with my mum at the heart of it. Raised by a single parent in a council house in Kingswood, where money was often tight, I was also fortunate to be surrounded by a rugby family who, alongside my mum, helped keep me involved in the sport.