Homegrown flyer Greenwood relishing full-time challenge

08/08/2022 13:56

The 18-year-old flyer has represented England at 7s and Under-18s levels, signing a two-year senior academy contract with the Falcons this summer after coming through their ACE programme at Gosforth Academy. “It’s been really good, and I’ve enjoyed it so far,” said the North East native. “The level is really high, it’s a big step up but I’m loving coming in and learning every day. “The first week was tough, because I’ve basically come from part-time rugby into a full-time environment – albeit that the Falcons’ ACE programme at Gosforth Academy is actually a pretty good preparation with the amount of training we did there. “I’m getting used to it now, though, and really enjoying the intensity of Falcons’ training and the whole ethos around the club. All the lads have been great with me, and you can’t fail to learn and improve when you look at the quality of players and coaches we’ve got here.” Explaining his rugby journey as he aims to follow the wealth of talent to have come through the Falcons’ system, Greenwood said: “I started at Whitley Bay Rockliff Under-6s, and I’ve worked my way through all the age groups over there. “I left Whitley Bay High School to go to Gosforth Academy for sixth form so I could join the Falcons’ ACE programme, and from there got picked up by the Falcons’ junior academy at age 17. “It went on from there and I played for England Under-18s against France and Wales last season, as well as the Falcons’ Under-18s. I got offered a two-year deal with the Falcons’ senior academy from there, and it’s an exciting time. “I went to Croatia in June with England 7s, and to a couple of their training camps. That’s been really good for me, and it was great playing international 7s. We got beat in the final by Ireland in the end, but we also played against Bulgaria, Sweden, Romania and Wales, and the experience of being in Zagreb was fantastic.” A former half-back who was moved out wide during his time in the Sixth Form, Greenwood said: “I have to give a lot of the credit to my ACE coach at Gosforth Academy, Lawrence Patton, because he really pushed me. “He moved me from scrum-half to the wing because he thought it would suit me the best, and my progression has been so much better as a result.” Now keen to take the next step, he added: “My initial aim is just to learn every day, to get used to the full-time environment and keep improving. I’ll be playing some rugby for Blaydon, and hopefully at university as well. “If I got an opportunity for the Falcons in the Premiership Rugby Cup then that would obviously be amazing, but I’m not thinking about that at the moment. We’ve got a load of class players here who can help me improve my game along with the coaches, and I’m just concentrating on keeping my head down and getting better. “We’ve got a fast pitch here and we’re looking to play an attacking brand of rugby under Dave Walder as head coach, and he’s pushing me all the time. “As a young winger it’s also great having the likes of Adam Radwan, Nathan Earle and guys like that, and just feeding off their knowledge of playing Premiership rugby. I’ve got to soak that in and add it to my game.” Season tickets for 2022-23 are on sale now by clicking here.