Grassroots Rugby. Honest Portraits.
Bold Visual Stories.

This photo story, commissioned by Rugby Journal, took me to the heart of Thurrock RFC, home of the legendary T-Birds. A club with history, heart and a hunger to keep pushing the game forward. What struck me most wasn’t just their past achievements, it is the raw passion, loyalty and local pride that continues to fuel the women who play here. The assignment wasn’t about polished perfection. It was about capturing something real: the honest graft of grassroots rugby. The fierce pride of pulling on the jersey. The off-pitch banter, the boots on the ground, the intensity of a training session. This is the level where stories live and breathe and it’s exactly what Rugby Journal exists to celebrate.

My job as a photographer is to meet the moment, and the people in it, with honesty and presence. I bring a lifestyle lens to sport, looking for the story, the softness, the soul. That may mean stepping into the huddle, listening more than shooting at first, and finding those moments between moments, the look, the lean, the breath before the charge. These are not just players, they’re history makers, community leaders, role models. It’s a privilege to build trust and document them in a way that honours their story without ever staging it. Whether it’s a feature, a campaign, or a legacy project, this is the kind of visual work I love to create: rooted in real sport, honest storytelling, and beautifully observed moments.