Meet A Hunter - John Joseph - Winger

This week we zoom into John Joseph’s time at the Leeds Hunters RUFC as he tells us about his journey into Rugby.

John Joseph is a 35 year old primary teacher from Morley who has been part of the Leeds Hunters RUFC since 2018, John describes himself as a quiet Hunter and a little bit of an introvert. That is until he’s had beer! He was initially hesitant about group sports but found a home with the Hunters. With over a decade of teaching he is passionate about empowering others and sees parallels between the challenges of teaching and the challenges presented by the game of Rugby..

How did you get involved with the leeds hunters rufc?

“It started at Leeds Pride in 2018, I think I was outside Viaduct and saw the Leeds Hunters out in their kit. One of the members started talking to me and said I had the athleticism to play. Some of the team I met started following me on social media and they invited me to their new starters day but I initially said no. However, a friend challenged me on my preconceptions so I made the choice to go and see how I found it.”

“I was quite anxious, before the first session and I didn’t know how long it would take to get to the training ground. I ended up being there 40 minutes early and calmed my nerves with a Nintendo switch session. I then ended up being late because I didn’t realise I had to go further up Crag Lane. Luckily the Club Captain greeted me on arrival and I really enjoyed the first session.”

How did you find it?

“A little bit overwhelming at first. I remember copying the other guys in the warm-up thinking I have no idea what’s going on. However, I was really relieved when the coaches split the group into experienced and inexperienced groups. This made me feel confident asking questions and allowed me to understand what I was being taught. Everyone was really welcoming too. Sometimes I find large groups intimidating but other members really made the effort to chat and welcome me. I remember at the end we all got in a circle and one of the coaches congratulated me on my first session and everyone clapped. That made me feel like I’d achieved something. It made me feel proud.”

HAVE YOU HAD ANY PREVIOUS RUGBY EXPERIENCE?

“As a kid I wasn’t sporty at all. I hated any kind of team sports apart from Table Tennis and I was pretty reclusive. However some of my family was massively into Rugby League, I went to training with my uncle once and I knew as a kid it wasn’t for me. Then when I was 18 or so I started to enjoy going to the gym but Leeds Hunters is my first real experience of organised sport.”

What has been the highlight of your time in the club?

“Touch my Brum in 2019! It was everything, just everything! That was my first experience of a proper Rugby tournament even though it was just touch. We played so many different teams from across the IGR in the UK. We came close to the top of our pool too! I was getting the ball quite a lot and made some really good runs. I felt as if I’d progressed in my training journey too, I added real value rather than feeling like a weak link, as sometimes you do when you’ve not played much before. The sense of being part of team was expanded into feeling part of a wider Rugby community and the friendliness of other clubs in the IGR.”

Can you tell about the night out AFTER?

“We went out to the Birmingham Gay scene, loads of other clubs were out in force too. Topless dancing was involved and that's all I’m saying.”

How did it feel when you first pulled on a hunters shirt for a match?

“The first game I played was a friendly against the Leo’s III Team. I remember taking a selfie in the car stating how nervous I was. It actually felt quite similar to the first time I came to training. I’d never worn the kit before, and I remember getting a medium shirt which was very tight! I didn’t really like the shorts either, but I think it was because I felt a little like an imposter. However that started to fade as I looked at the other guys and realised I was part of the team. The shirt then became something more, I felt I had a job to do and I wanted to make my fellow Hunters proud. I even got back of the match! I loved the whole experience, it was great. I got some good runs in and I made a very satisfying break.”

What WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE THINKING OF JOINING THE CLUB?

“I would say what my friend said to me. Just go to one session, one new players day and give it a go. You may find its not for you. You may go and love it and wish you’d have started sooner! The Leeds Hunters are an amazing group of guys. You will feel part of a team as well as part of the wider community. The benefits of being part of a team of people with similar life experiences in the LGBTQ* community has done wonders for my mental health too. Don’t give ruck, get stuck in!”

What DO YOU THINK RUGBY AS A GAME HAS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT LIFE?

"Rugby has taught me lessons that I have passed onto the kids I teach. Rugby encourages a growth mindset. Joining a new group whether its for social or sporting reasons is challenging but it has helped me feel part of a team. The team have become second family. I feel its important to teach all young people but especially LGBTQ people to know they belong and I have found that belonging in the Leeds Hunters. Discipline is really important too, in my career discipline is an important aspect and Rugby ensures that I practice respect that responsibility at all times.

The class I had when I first started were a bit older than the kids I teach now and in a way they were part of my journey into Rugby. I shared my experience of starting a new sport as an example of self-growth and tackling new challenges. The kids helped support me on the journey really, a couple of them were already enthusiastic about Rugby and being able to talk about Rugby in class helped me to empower them in their own development. For others who weren’t as interested in the sport the messege around challenging ones self to try something new was hopefully inspiring.”