(Image: Louise Stead)
A young Bradford rugby player is preparing for the trip of a lifetime after being picked to tour Australia with his union team.
Jacob Stead, 13, who plays rugby league for Siddal and is part of the Bradford Bulls' Excel pathway programme, will head Down Under with Old Brodleians RUFC Under-14s in 2027.
He is currently raising funds to help cover the cost of the tour.
The teenager, of Drighlington, said: "I'm really buzzing for it. I think it's just going to be a once-in-a-lifetime thing."
Jacob first got involved in rugby at the age of three.
Jacob Stead and his Old Brodleians teammates. (Image: Louise Stead)
"My dad's always loved rugby and he loved watching it. I got into rugby at a very early age, learning the basics and stuff," he said.
Tour will take the team across Australia
After joining Old Brodleians last season, Jacob is relishing the chance to experience rugby in one of its heartlands.
"I really want to see a different side to rugby, like a different culture of rugby, how they play the game and if it's any different," he said.
"We are getting coached by some professional coaches over there and I think they'll give me some really good tips to go home with."
The tour includes matches against Australian teams in Brisbane, on the Gold Coast and in Sydney, plus professional coaching sessions.
Jacob Stead (Image: Louise Stead)
The squad will also take in some of the country's most famous sights during the two-week trip.
Jacob and his teammates have already begun preparations.
He said: "We've been training twice a week. We all do our different training, like go to the gym and stuff, so we are preparing for it."
Fundraising efforts
Jacob is also raising money for the trip through a series of physical challenges.
His mother, Louise Stead, said the family had been overwhelmed by the support shown by friends, relatives and the wider community.
"People have been really generous, so we've been blown away with how much this raised in such a short time," she said.
"It's meant the world to us."
You can donate to Jacob's GoFundMe here.
The Old Brodleians GoFundMe can be found here.
'My dream would be playing for England'
Louise said Jacob trains or plays most days while balancing commitments to Siddal and Old Brodleians.
"He's training nearly every night at one of the clubs.
Jacob Stead and his Old Brodleians teammates. (Image: Louise Stead)
"Then you've got the matches on a Saturday and Sunday as well, so it's like a full-time job.
"But it's his ambition, so we're happy to support him all the way.
"We're obviously really proud of his dedication to rugby. He puts a lot of effort in and people comment on how committed he is."
Jacob’s ambition is to reach the top of the game.
"I think my dream would be playing for England," he said.
Louise said the team was still raising money for kit ahead of its trip to Australia.