Travel offers new insights
Gap year gives Wales the drive to return to Intrust Super Cup ranks
DODGY hostels, airport sleepovers and backpacking budgets tend to deliver the kind of appreciation Nathan Wales (above) was after. His return to Far North rugby league comes after a whirlwind 12 months travelling through Central and South America before ultimately landing in New York. There, the Northern Pride portability player joined the amateur USARL competition, delivering another dose of perspective that the backrower chased.
DODGY hostels, airport sleepovers and backpacking budgets tend to deliver the kind of appreciation Nathan Wales was after.
The 24-year-old’s return to Far North rugby league comes after a whirlwind 12 months travelling through Central and South America before ultimately landing in New York.
There, the Northern Pride portability player – who won two Intrust Super Cup caps in 2015 – joined the amateur USARL competition, delivering another dose of perspective that the backrower chased.
Tonight Wales’ circle is complete when he comes off an extended bench in the Pride’s final trial fixture against PNG Hunters at Vico Oval.
“My outlook on life changed ... I think I’m more relaxed and realise more how lucky we are,” he said.
“I stayed in some pretty second-rate hostels (and) you had to watch what you were spending.
“There were a couple of times I had to stay in an airport and a couple of times I planned it so I could sleep on a bus.
“I lost 10kg at the start because I was backpacking and eating only local foods.
“I just wanted to get out and see the world – I came to appreciate footy as well.”
Armed with that new attitude, Wales will start back with Brothers in the CDRL before hopefully earning a fairytale recall at ISC level.
“I’m trying to get a crack with the Pride but you can’t just walk back in,” he said.
“You have to work really hard and I’ll bide my time and do everything I can to push for a spot.”
While the USARL is below ISC standard, Wales’ time with the White Plains Wombats delivered another handy cultural education.
“It wasn’t as good as here in Australia because the lads don’t grow up playing league; it’s not second nature to them,” he said.
“But they do go 100 per cent at it.
“I had a great time there and it was all about the experience.
“I brought a little bit of knowledge over to help them out; they are trying to build their competition.
“But it’s more about life skills that I picked up.”
Wales has returned from his gap year to resume his role as a Bentley Park College HPE teacher.