My day begins

I always arrive early when I’m hired for a sports photography assignment. It gives me time to assess the conditions and decide which camera settings and lenses will work best for the day ahead. It also helps me avoid queues and potential parking issues. Once I’m on site, I collect a copy of the day’s schedule, grab a coffee, and take a few moments to plan my approach. In sports photography, preparation is essential, and arriving early allows me to be fully ready before the action begins.

This morning, the sky is blanketed by grey clouds, and puddles are scattered across the playing fields. Before long, the ground will be churned into mud. That’s rugby in November for you; entirely predictable, yet all part of the game’s enduring character.

Today is a youth tournament featuring boys and girls aged 7 to 11. The younger children play Tag Rugby, while the older age groups compete under their own age-specific rules and formats.

Slowly but surely, the crowds begin to arrive. Parents and coaches set up gazebos along the touchline, while steam rises from freshly opened flasks. The community brings its own character and personality to the day, with bright team colours standing out against the winter backdrop. The occasional funny hat or colourful outfit is always welcome, adding warmth and humour to the atmosphere.

Sports Photography kit

Let’s talk about equipment, just for a moment

Today, I have my Nikon D750 with me. It serves as my second, or “spare”, camera, although the image quality remains excellent. It’s my go-to body whenever there’s a chance of rain. For the action shots, I’m using a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, while a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 handles the team photographs. On the larger pitches, I may switch to my Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3. I find this setup works exceptionally well for this type of outdoor sports photography.

For more information about the cameras I use, visit my ‘About‘ page.

Back to the action

The referee delivers the final instructions, and for a brief moment the players stand focused and still. Then the whistle cuts through the cold air, and suddenly the whole place comes to life in an instant.

Parents and friends cheer from the touchline, clapping their cold hands together. Coaches pace up and down the sidelines, offering encouragement and quick words of guidance as the young players throw themselves into every challenge.

From behind the lens, I follow every phase of play, pressing the shutter again and again as the action unfolds. Tackles crash in, passes whizz across the pitch, scrums grind forward, and line-outs are contested with determination. Every game seems to have its own story, and there’s rarely a quiet moment behind the lens.

As the day moves on, the pitches deteriorate, becoming muddier with every match. For the players, it is another challenge to overcome. From a photography point of view, this type of weather only makes things better. Boots churn through the mud, jerseys become splattered with earth, and the ball takes unpredictable bounces. A determined sprint can suddenly end in a spectacular slide, and I am there to capture the split second before the player jumps back to their feet, grinning and ready to go again.

Those are the moments I treasure most. Not just the powerful runs or the brave tackles, but the resilience and teamwork that often go unnoticed. A hand reaching down to help a teammate. A few encouraging words after a mistake. A shared laugh following an untimely slip in the mud. Through my lens, these moments become part of a larger story. They show the character of the players and the small moments that often say the most.

Time to head home

By the final whistle, both my camera and my shoes are speckled with mud. I head home with cold fingers, a couple of full memory cards, and a smile on my face. The winter light may be fading and the pitches may be messy, but the enthusiasm never fades. No matter how muddy the conditions become, the players continue to throw themselves into every tackle, chase every loose ball and celebrate every try with the same energy they had at the start of the day. Those are the moments that make youth rugby such a pleasure to photograph.