DAN Tyson is no stranger to putting in the extra miles for team sport.
The almost 20-year-old is tight-head prop for central Queensland representative rugby team, the Brahmans, and travels almost 250 kilometres from Bauhinia to Rockhampton for two trainings a week.
“It’s alright, but if you want to play sport in the regions you have to travel a fair way. You don’t get the opportunities that people in [cities] get.”
Growing up in Rolleston where his parents own the Rolleston Clearing Dip, Dan started out playing league, which gave him an insight to travel demands.
“We played away and my parents would take me to Moranbah, Blackwater and Alpha. It’s a big thing for parents and you have to be committed.”
On top of this, his younger brother also played, so his parents would have to be in two separate places at once every week.
It wasn’t until he went to the Rockhampton Grammar School in secondary school that he discovered rugby union, and he hasn’t looked back.
He has just been selected to play for Queensland Country’s Under 20 squad, which will be playing in Adelaide later this month.
“Anyone can play rugby but you have to know the rules and when you know the rules it’s a much better game,” he said of his love for the code.
Meanwhile, he is not the only team member travelling for the sport. One other player travels three times a week from Gladstone, and another makes the pilgrimage from Blackwater.
“That’s where the passion comes in,” he said during his training at Ruby Park on Sunday morning. “When you have travelled all that way, you may as well have a go.”
The team is under a new coach this year, former Manu Samoa player Onehunga Matauiau, who moved to Rockhampton from New Zealand three years ago.
The Samoan-born former hooker played in the Rugby World Cup in 1999, played in the New Zealand National Provincial Competition and had a successful Sevens career that saw him play at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpa.
“He is very direct,” Dan said, and the team was performing well under him. “There is a lot of gel in this team.”
As for a future in rugby, Dan is not ready to blow his trumpet.
“Everyone wants to play Super rugby. I don’t think I will get there but I want to play it.”
Meanwhile, he continues with his own training during the week while he works at Bauhinia and Moura as an apprentice carpenter.
The Brahmans will kick off the season this month with a tour to south-east Queensland and a first game against premier club Brisbane Norths this weekend (February 14). This will be followed with games against the Gold Coast Eagles, Darling Downs, Mackay and then Noosa.
