ONE of the district’s brightest young sporting prospects has decided to step into the world of business at the age of just 18.

Rugby league star Matthew Ferguson is already an established international at U19 and U20 level for Scotland, and lined-up in a match against England last November.

But the Acomb teenager is also a budding fitness coach, and has already started hosting successful classes for people of all ages.

Informal boot camp sessions on local playing fields have provided a welcome boost for residents ready to improve their physique after a lengthy lockdown period.

And Matthew is keen to develop his fledgling business on a self-employed basis, while completing his final year at Tyne Metropolitan College.

The youngster is studying a BTEC sport course in rugby excellence at the Wallsend-based college, where he’s also gained a level three qualification in personal training.

He said: “In my final year, I’ll be at the college two-and-a-half days per week, so I’ll be able to offer fitness sessions part-time. It’s something that I’ve been wanting to do and I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”

Matthew, who is also a rugby union player at Corbridge-based Tynedale RFC, began leading sessions in unusual circumstances.

He explained: “When I was 15 or 16, my mother and her friends were looking to get fit, so they asked me to put a couple of sessions on for them. They went well, and word quickly spread.”

Since those early days, Matthew has hosted sessions at ET Fitness and Therapy in Hexham, and has also trained players at Prudhoe & Stocksfield Rugby Club.

Matthew is keen to help people of all ages and abilities to improve their fitness, and he specialises in everything from body strength and weight training, to circuits, spinning and massage.

Matthew and his new business, Ferguson Fitness, can be contacted via his pages on social media.