Joel Grayson's leap from anticipated Sydney shores to the gusty fields of Newcastle has been nothing short of a whirlwind. Swapping the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the Tyne Bridge, Grayson joins his twin brother Ethan at the rebranded Newcastle Red Bulls, fully embracing the seismic changes ushered in by Red Bull's takeover. This fresh chapter is sparked by a strategic pivot that canceled his plans to move to Australia, where a job and rugby awaited him.
Grayson, a 23-year-old Northampton prodigy and recent first-class honours graduate in international business, initially came to Newcastle just for summer training. However, his stint quickly turned into a career-defining trial. "Newcastle had a few injuries on the wing, and Alan Dickens asked if I'd like to come up and train. At first, I didn't think it was a trial; I thought I was just filling in numbers," Grayson shared about his unexpected trial opportunity.
"I was only supposed to be here for three or four weeks but it soon became apparent there was an opportunity to properly go on trial and maybe sign a contract at the end of it,"
His impressive performance during this period caught the attention of coach Steve Diamond, leading to a full-year contract with the team. The allure of playing Premiership rugby for the first time, especially alongside his brother, was an opportunity too golden to pass up. Grayson humorously recounted the moment he had to break the news to his girlfriend, saying, "I had to tell the missus 'we’re going from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Tyne Bridge.'" Despite the sudden change, his partner has been a steadfast supporter.
The twins have a rich rugby heritage, with their father Paul Grayson being a legendary figure at Northampton Saints. Growing up in such a rugby-centric family has deeply influenced both Joel and Ethan. They have previously played together at their local club, Old Northamptonians, which Joel describes as "brilliant and so cool."
While he recovers from a recent knee injury that sidelined him during the Prem Rugby Cup home win over Harlequins, Joel remains optimistic about returning to action soon. His academic insights into the commercial sustainability of rugby, particularly focusing on the recent takeover, could soon prove useful off the field as well.
Joel's journey from a potential career in Sydney to the heart of Newcastle underscores a tale of adaptability and seizing opportunities. With Red Bull's backing, the club is set to soar to new heights, and Grayson is ready to ride this wave, hopeful not just for a recovery but for a prolonged stay at a club brimming with ambition and potential.
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Joel Grayson's leap from anticipated Sydney shores to the gusty fields of Newcastle has been nothing short of a whirlwind. Swapping the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the Tyne Bridge, Grayson joins his twin brother Ethan at the rebranded Newcastle Red Bulls, fully embracing the seismic changes ushered in by Red Bull's takeover. This fresh chapter is sparked by a strategic pivot that canceled his plans to move to Australia, where a job and rugby awaited him.
Grayson, a 23-year-old Northampton prodigy and recent first-class honours graduate in international business, initially came to Newcastle just for summer training. However, his stint quickly turned into a career-defining trial. "Newcastle had a few injuries on the wing, and Alan Dickens asked if I'd like to come up and train. At first, I didn't think it was a trial; I thought I was just filling in numbers," Grayson shared about his unexpected trial opportunity.
"I was only supposed to be here for three or four weeks but it soon became apparent there was an opportunity to properly go on trial and maybe sign a contract at the end of it,"
His impressive performance during this period caught the attention of coach Steve Diamond, leading to a full-year contract with the team. The allure of playing Premiership rugby for the first time, especially alongside his brother, was an opportunity too golden to pass up. Grayson humorously recounted the moment he had to break the news to his girlfriend, saying, "I had to tell the missus 'we’re going from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Tyne Bridge.'" Despite the sudden change, his partner has been a steadfast supporter.
The twins have a rich rugby heritage, with their father Paul Grayson being a legendary figure at Northampton Saints. Growing up in such a rugby-centric family has deeply influenced both Joel and Ethan. They have previously played together at their local club, Old Northamptonians, which Joel describes as "brilliant and so cool."
While he recovers from a recent knee injury that sidelined him during the Prem Rugby Cup home win over Harlequins, Joel remains optimistic about returning to action soon. His academic insights into the commercial sustainability of rugby, particularly focusing on the recent takeover, could soon prove useful off the field as well.
Joel's journey from a potential career in Sydney to the heart of Newcastle underscores a tale of adaptability and seizing opportunities. With Red Bull's backing, the club is set to soar to new heights, and Grayson is ready to ride this wave, hopeful not just for a recovery but for a prolonged stay at a club brimming with ambition and potential.