He began as a ball boy for the Enfield Federals, his father's team, and the following year joined the under-6s rugby league.
He later played junior rugby league for St George, serving the Jersey Flegg and under-23s as a captain.
[2] For several years, Woods left full-time rugby as he pursued a constructive dismissal case against the Gateshead Thunder that became complicated when bankruptcy affected the club.
[4] During that time, he served as the Great Britain Community Lions Under-18s coach for the Rugby Football League.
[5] In April 2010, Woods joined the York City Knights, first as a part-time director of rugby and then, two months later, as coach.