‘I had to tell the missus we’re going from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Tyne Bridge’
Joel Grayson joins his twin brother Ethan at Newcastle Red Bulls.
A hurricane of change has swept through Kingston Park since Red Bull’s groundbreaking takeover of Newcastle – and that suits new signing Joel Grayson just fine.
The former Northampton prospect, the son of legendary former Saints fly-half Paul, recently joined Steve Diamond’s side following a successful trial.
Grayson has embraced the new era, particularly as he has teamed up with his twin brother Ethan at the newly-renamed Red Bulls.
Joel, 23, recently graduated from university with a first-class honours degree in international business at the University of the West of England in Bristol.
Australia U-turn
He was due to move to Sydney with his girlfriend Olivia and get a job while playing rugby there.
Then came an opportunity to train at Newcastle in the summer and the winger impressed Diamond enough to earn a one-year deal.
Grayson said: “Newcastle had a few injuries on the wing and Alan Dickens, the senior coach, asked Ethan if I would like to come up and train.
“At first I didn’t even think it was a trial; I thought I was just coming to make the numbers up and I could do it at short notice because Ethan was here so it was no stress to the club.
“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.
“I did the second block of pre-season and it was tough, but I trained well and from there Dimes said ‘we’ve been really impressed and want you to sign for the whole year’.
“It was opportunistic and a case of being in the right place at the right time.”
The chance to play in the Prem for the first time – alongside Ethan – meant all plans for Australia were dropped.
Grayson revealed: “I had all my flights booked for September 24 because joining Newcastle wasn’t on the cards at all.
“I had to tell the missus ‘we’re going from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Tyne Bridge’ so that was a bit of a shock!
“But fair play, she’s been a great sport and supported me brilliantly.
“Working over there alongside playing was the goal, but Australia’s always going to be there.
“Playing in the Prem is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I couldn’t say no to that, could I?
“It’s exciting times at Newcastle and to see everything unfold at the club has been really cool with the new owners, new kit and badge.
“There has been a lot of Red Bull staff kicking around the club and all the Red Bull media team were at the shoot for our new kit.
“I’ve not had chance to speak to the owners but the boys did before I came here and it was an open floor Q & A session.
“It’s a new era for the club and I’m absolutely buzzing to be here.
“As twin brothers, Ethan and I are best mates on and off the field and grew up playing together.
“When we were younger, we used to argue like hell but you grow out of that and now pick each other’s brains on rugby.
“Last year we had a stint playing for Old Northamptonians, our local club, which was brilliant and so cool.
“It would be amazing to play together at Premiership level and I’ll play anywhere I’m picked, but the left wing is definitely my preference.
“I’ve been working hard and getting a contract here at Newcastle vindicates that and makes it all worth it.
“I feel like I’ve climbed the mountain, but there is still way more to go because I’ve only just signed a contract.”
Grayson wrote his dissertation on the commercial sustainability of Premiership Rugby, including Newcastle’s takeover.
He added: “I was writing about Newcastle’s takeover for four or five months, so to see all that come to fruition and to now actually be in amongst it has been fascinating.
“I looked at the ownership structures of Premiership clubs and compared that to what you see in the NFL and NBA.
“The Americanisation of sport versus the traditional English model of promotion and relegation – and the financial strength of different leagues such as the Championship in football.
“I looked at what rugby clubs can do to be more financially sustainable and the salary cap.
“It was quite a broad spectrum and I’d like to pick the brains of the people at Red Bull, especially the commercial team, while I’m here.
“That could help set me up for after I finish playing.”
Newcastle host Saracens in their Prem opener on Friday but Grayson, who made his debut in the recent Prem Rugby Cup home win over Harlequins, will play no part.
He was forced off with a knee injury which will see him the start of the Prem season but hopes to be back in action soon.
Dad Paul enjoyed a stellar career while elder brother James and twin Ethan also played for Northampton, their hometown club.
Joel added: “Both my brothers played for Saints – my elder brother James and my twin brother Ethan – so I got to watch them play.
Living the dream
“I didn’t quite make it at Saints when I was 18 and when that happens you kind of think that’s the end of it then.
“But I’ve been grafting hard, so getting a chance here is vindication and shows it’s all been worth it.
“Now I’m living the dream. Newcastle is a buzzing, sports-mad city and I’m absolutely loving it here.
“What my dad achieved has been hugely inspiring for myself, Ethan and James and if I can have half the career my dad did then I would be doing well.
“I’m on a one-year contract but it’s a hell of a set-up here with Red Bull having taken over, so I’d like to stick around for longer than just one season. That’s definitely the aim.”
READ MORE: Champ Rugby streaming available to all as league joins forces with ‘biggest supporter’