Hometown hero proves why the Western Clydesdales must exist

A year after he won his club’s best and fairest award Todd White was flying high with the Ipswich Jets in the Hostplus Cup. Now the 25-year-old is back home in Toowoomba, detailing why he believes the Western Clydesdales for the game’s future.

LEAGUE: Back home and best on ground in his debut, Todd White is a near perfect example of why the Western Clydesdales must be in the Hostplus Cup.

With the 2020 Toowoomba Rugby League season cancelled Valleys Roosters lined up in the Ipswich Volunteers Cup.

White’s best and fairest season for the Roosters caught the eye of Ipswich Jets officials and he was ‘flying’ in the Hostplus Cup in 2021.

Alongside fellow Valleys junior Hugh Sedger, White played two seasons with the Jets, before signing with the Clydesdales this year.

“It was fantastic to see the Clydesdales get the green light to rejoin the competition,” White said.

“I was happy to come home.

“You always want to represent the region you grew up in – the region you played for as a junior.”

Todd White for Clydesdales and Jamie Mavoko for Hunters. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Lining up for the Jets was a major commitment for White who made the trip down the Range three nights a week for training and a fourth time if he was named in the match day squad.

Luckily the 25-year-old still had a support network of family and friends – something a lot of younger players didn’t have in the past.

“The hardest thing about moving away for football was leaving your family. Leaving your support network,” White said.

“Having the Clydesdales means our region’s players have the chance to play (elite) footy and still have their support base nearby.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved.”

White ran for 140m, completed 43 tackles and scored a try in his first game for the Clydesdales in their 20-10 loss to the PNG Hunters.