With a new full-time training set up, a number of Newcastle Thunder's 2022 squad have moved to make the North East their home
21-year-old Brad Gallagher is one of those relishing life in the region having made the move from Bradford Bulls and West Yorkshire over the winter.
Setting up home in the heart of the city, the back row shares an apartment with teammates Connor Bailey, Gideon Boafo, Josh Eaves, Jack Johnson and Pat Moran and has been making the most of the opportunities and experiences that this offers.
Speaking on the move Gallagher said: “It’s been amazing really, I’ve never experienced anything like this before, moving away from home and living with your mates, who you also work with, it feels like a rare experience and I’m loving it.
“I can’t fault the place, around the club, in the city, everyone is nice. The lads I’m with are all good lads and it’s a great experience to be with five of your mates. JJ and Evo like to see themselves as the parents, they call me the kid. I think that’s because when I first came up, I was a bit inexperienced at cooking and cleaning. My mum and dad used to do a lot of that for me.
“I think I’ve gone up the list a bit though. Gidzz and Connor are more the kids than me now!” Taking advantage of living in the very heart of the vibrant city, Gallagher has been quick to explore his new home and has enjoyed what he has experienced so far.
“I like my food and there are so many nice food and coffee places, I’ve been to St James’ Park to watch Newcastle and have been along to watch the Falcons – they’re all new experiences.
“I’ve also been to Tynemouth beach and Whitley Bay, there are so many nice places around it’s amazing really. There is so much to do and it’s all within 15 minutes of the flat.”
With things good off the field, Gallagher is also relishing the day job as a full-time professional at a growing rugby league outfit. Thunder have set ambitious targets with the aim of working towards being promoted to rugby league’s Betfred Super League, the sport’s top division in the UK, and hopefully winning the title by the end of the 2030 season.
Choosing to be part of the drive to achieve those goals, the player is enjoying the atmosphere and says he has rediscovered the passion that made him chose rugby over football as a youngster at Kingston Park.
“I’m loving it really, it’s everything I’ve ever wanted and I can’t thank Freddy [head coach Eamon O’ Carroll], Denis Betts and the other coaching staff enough for what they have done for me, because they have really helped me to kickstart my career.
“We might only be a couple of games in, but I feel like Thunder is the place to get back on track and because I’m here for the next two years, I’ve got that safety knowing that this is my home. I can make it my home and I know that we’re all willing to work for each other. “Everyone is straight up here; you can talk to anyone whenever you want and I like that because it feels like everyone values each other for who they are. There’s a sense of equality and it doesn’t matter if you’re the cleaner or the chairman, everyone is the same with each other. I feel that’s quite rare.” With six games played in 2022 including the club’s two pre-season friendlies, Thunder is already looking a solid outfit with plenty of scope left to develop. “We’re quite a fit side and I think that will show more as the season goes on. You can’t display it as much on a muddy pitch, but at this time we are still in the ruck and the wrestle and I think if we can get it spot on and stay in attack more than defending, we will show what we can do.
“We’ve only played a few games together but I think there are combinations starting to show. There has been a bit of switching around and we are starting to learn how each other play when we get to a game scenario.
“We’ve shown well in parts how good our team is and what we can do at the right end of the field. We just need to be there more often and put the opposition under the pump rather than ourselves.”
