When Hackney RFC was approached by Tour Aid to host a young rugby prospect from Trinidad & Tobago no one could have predicted just how well things would work out.

On November 10th last year Agboola 'Jack' Silverthorn was preparing to travel to the UK when his existing plans fell through. Silverthorn's family and community had raised the money for his flights (costing more than the average annual wage in his home town of Marabella) and this now looked like being wasted, with his departure scheduled just 10 days later. An SOS was sent out by Andy Berry of TourAid, and Iain Richards, of Skrum, immediately contacted Hackney RFC, one of that charities established fundraising partners.

Morgan Whitlock, Hackney RFC's Sponsorship Officer and Women's Coach immediately canvassed it's membership, hoping to be able to find enough hosts to put Silverthorn up until January. Within hours Whitlock had received more offers of spare rooms and sofas than he could use, and Silervthorn was on his way to London.

Silverhtorn is one of Trinidad & Tobago's brightest young rugby prospects. After captaining the U19 T&T representative side at the Caribbean Championships in 2011, Silverthorn went on to make his senior debut for the national 7s side at the North American and Caribbean Championships. The side finished as plate winners. Since arriving in London he's made a huge impact. Welcomed by the players and coaches of Hackney RFC, Silverthorn has quickly shown the elusive running skills you'd expect of a 7s specialist, scoring twice in 3 games. But more than that, his humble and respectful attitude has quickly established him as a firm favourite with players and coaches alike.

Fred Pentecost, Hackeny RFC Coaching Coordinator said: "Jack is a credit to his family, not just because he has an outstanding talent for rugby but also has a moral standard that is to be envied. Jack brings a little bit of Trinidadian sunshine with him wherever he goes. I’m certain that he will achieve great recognition in the future and I shall be looking out for his name at the 2016 Olympics."

Working with Helen Clayton at Premiership Rugby, James Cooper at the RFU, Andy Berry at TourAid and Iain Richards at Skrum, Hackney RFC has organised sessions training with and observing some of the countries top rugby sides. Silverthorn has impressed London Irish and Sale whilst training with their Academy, seen first hand the energy and positivity underpinning Harlequins surge to the top of the table, spent time with Rosslyn Park, who sit top of National league 1 and will soon be heading in to London Wasps. Mark Lees at EAM Consulting is helping make these future trips possible, funding Silverhtorn's travel.

Silervthorn has also spent a lot of time with the Hitz Project, volunteering with the team working in Hackney & Islington as they offer free coaching sessions to some of the cities young people.

And just last week his time in the UK seems to have paid off. The Trinidad & Tobago RFU announced that Silverthorn had been included in the Senior squad for their upcoming qualifying games for the 2015 World Cup. In fact his time here has been such a success that he'll now be staying with Hackney until April.

Everyone involved is hoping Silverthorn's time here can help him develop as a player and go on to represent his country with distinction, both in their international fixtures and at future Olympic Games. It's also hoped that this success will let Jack serve as a role model to other young people in Marabella, letting them know that gangs and crime aren't the only way you can achieve something.

Andy Berry, CEO of Tour Aid, said: "It has been incredible to see Hackney RFC's response, and the way in which the club has embraced this young lad and given him the opportunity to develop as a young man and as a player. The relationship between the club, its' community and Trinidad and Tobago will grow over time. We would love to the hear from other clubs, who like Hackney and Wilmslow, would like to change lives."