South London
Silverbacks
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“I have been involved with the
club during the launch but injury has
meant not returning until this season,
currently playing stand off and pulling
the strings alongside my halves partner
Joe Charlton.
I played union when growing up
but moved over to league at 17 for
Weald Warriors in Kent. I went to
university in Cardiff where I received
a rugby league bursary in 3rd year and
managed to be in Welsh Students and
Great Britain Pioneers set up, as well as
playing senior Welsh Origin for West
Wales. Unfortunately, injury curtailed
my progression into the semi-pro ranks
from there.
There have been good numbers
to training with a real mixture of
experiences with the rugby league, and
rugby in general – but some wise old
heads alongside some specific rugby
league players helps to mould a talented
squad into a good rugby league team.
I am currently a Development
Manager for Access Sport’s Disability
Inclusion team. This is the first year of
sponsoring the shirts as it gives great
exposure for the charity being able to
support the club. The charity work with
young disadvantaged, marginalised and
disabled young people to improve their
prospects and development through the
power of sport.
Given the location of the Silverbacks
and the surrounding areas and boroughs,
the club has a prime opportunity
to use the power of sport to engage
members of the local community and
improve the provision of opportunities
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– alongside this, the club are looking to
work alongside the charity to improve
volunteering opportunities and host
disability inclusive sessions and tasters
days.
I am looking forward to the season
ahead, we need to take every game as
a new game and a new challenge while
maintaining the community feel and
ethos at the club – it truly is a player-led
club where partners and family members
are strongly welcomed, with a desire to
engage the local community. The squad
is definitely not shy of talent and we look
forward to not only showing we belong
at tier 4 level, but that we are also here
with one eye on the Southern Conference
Final.
Jody has a real passion for Rugby
League and the club chairman and this
passion filters down throughout the club
members, players and supporters. It
might sound clichéd but the Silverbacks
truly are a pack.
As a club we also thank the RFL
for the opportunity to compete in the
Southern Conference, and alongside
strong performance from the London
Broncos in Super League, we hope
this season is a real showcase of the
rugby league talent in both the south of
England and in Wales.”
Iestyn Withers