He’s taken a massive step into the unknown.
But established rugby league player Charlie Martin is already comfortable about his decision to switch codes and attempt to make a name for himself at Huddersfield in National II North.
By his own admission, it’s a brave move.
Apart from one 20-minute rugby union taster during his schooldays, it’s been rugby league all the way – from the age of five when he first stepped onto the field at Shaw Cross Sharks up to making six Super League appearances with Castleford Tigers in 2013.
The centre/back-row forward has also seen service on-loan in the Kingstone Press Championship at Featherstone Rovers and Keighley Cougars.
But following a spell with fellow Championship club Batley Bulldogs this season, the Wakefield-based Martin felt it was time for a change.
And with age very firmly on his side – he’s not 22 until December – trying the rival code was something that really appealed.
It’s a case of so far, so good.
His welcome to Lockwood Park couldn’t have been warmer and with just four senior competitive appearances under his belt, he’s already scooped the club’s inaugural Player of the Month award.
Martin was man-of-the-match in the narrow 23-17 opening-day defeat at Chester and has been instrumental in helping Huddersfield secure a win and a draw in two of his side’s following three fixtures.
The monthly award is chosen by senior coaching staff Gareth Lewis, Ian Shuttleworth and Phil Gostling, who award points each week, with three to the man-of-the-match, two to the second-placed player and one to the third.
Martin held off strong competition from hooker Ross Thornton to claim the individual honour, with Lewis explaining: “Charlie accumulated the most points in September and has made a solid impact since joining the club. His defence has been outstanding, and some of the tackles he has put in have been pretty ferocious.”
And for a union novice like Martin, that’s music to his ears.
“I knew coming here was a bit of a brave move,” said the 6ft 1in, 96kg Martin, who made his Super League debut at St Helens in Easter 2013.
“But I’ve backed myself from day one, and I couldn’t be much happier about the way things have gone so far.
“As soon as I walked through the door everyone made me welcome. I was accepted as one of the boys from day one.
“That helped make me a lot more comfortable, although I knew the biggest challenge I was going to face was on the field.
“I’ve played rugby league all my life – with my time playing rugby union restricted to about 20 minutes at school – and even though the coaching staff have been happy with my contribution so far, I know I’ve a long way to go before I know exaclty what I’m doing.
“The fact I’m playing in the backs makes it a bit easier, because the roles out there aren’t that much different. It would have been a totally different matter if I’d been in the forwards, where the difference between the two codes is immense.
“They say one of the biggest adjustments you have to make when you go from league to union is when you take your first few carries, get tackled and then have the urge to get up and play-the-ball, which you obviously don’t in union.
“To be honest, that wasn’t too bad for me. The thing that got me at first was that when one of my teammates tackled an opponent, my natural instinct was to move back 10m ready for the next play.
“In union you’re allowed to stay in the line rather than have to retreat.
“With every game I play, I am finding it easier adjusting, although I think it’s going to take a while before I can say I’m 100% comfortable in the code.
“At the moment, I’m learning tons and tons with every game and every training session.
“I suppose it is a bit daunting at first, and can put a little bit of doubt in your mind.
“But I’m already feeling pretty confident about the switch and the way I’ve fitted in, and getting the Player of the Month award has certainly done me no harm at all.”
