Every year I choose a subject to shoot for myself. I do prefer un-commissioned projects as it gives the chance to do exactly what I want without needing to fulfil a request from a picture editor or a client.

'Heartland' is my current project. At the moment I'm travelling around the UK photographing grassroots rugby. Each club I've shot has something a little unique and interesting about it. Of course the rugby I've seen has been great, but I'm not after the run of the mill action photographs that I shoot for assignments at The Times.

Instead I'm after the grit and determination. I've researched each club on the Ordnance Survey website and Google images. I'm looking for great locations, I've been on a mountain in Wales, beneath Windsor castle and in the City of London.

In the next month, as well as travelling to Larne, I'm also heading to Ramsey on the Isle of Man and to North Yorkshire.

The plan is to go to the outer Hebrides in the spring and I hope to secure some sponsorship in order to travel to some of the great locations I've found across the globe.

The idea is to have an exhibition during the World Cup this year and then to release a book.

Some info on Graham Hughes:

Graham Hughes started his career in New York in 1993 assisting fashion and advertising photographers. When he returned to the UK two years later he shot fashion and features for a national newspaper.

After a a few years he graduated into shooting sport, he then joined The Times in 2006 as a Sports photographer and has covered The FIFA World Cup, The Champions League final, Formula One, The Championships at Wimbledon and The London 2012 Olympics to list but a few.

In the last year he has shot advertising campaigns for Nike, Adidas, ASICS, Sport Relief, C4 Creative, Pru-Health and Coca-Cola.

His work can be viewed at: www.gray-hughes.com

Twitter: @hughes_photo

Instagram: grahamhugh3s

Fixtures for Saturday 21st February:

Larne 1sts v Newry - League
Larne 2nds v Bangor - Crawford Plate Quarter Final
Strabane v Larne 3rds - Butler Shield Quarter Final

A big welcome Graham, from all at Larne RFC!!