A talented young soccer player, Henderson left Gulgong at just 13 years-old to play for Newcastle United (Jets). It was the start of a long career that took him across the world from Newcastle, to England and then Bhutan.

"It was really challenging, being a country boy going into the city, I had to grow up quickly and just deal with it," Mr Henderson said.

"I've always had a lot of self-belief, and the support from my parents and people back here propelled me forward and allowed me to just focus on what I needed to do, which was train."

Henderson has recently returned to his hometown of Gulgong, where he wants to settle down and pivot his soccer aims.

"My goal was always to come back and offer something, a part of me naturally is a leader so being given the club captaincy, a big part of my role is to promote the young players and impart whatever knowledge I can share with them," he said.

Henderson, a centre-back, has played professional soccer for NPL clubs like Sunshine Coast Fire, Pascoe Vale and Central Coast United. He has also played overseas for Thimphu City F.C in the Bhutan Premier League.

"It was an incredible experience to finally live as a professional athlete after all those years, and regardless of their world ranking, it doesn't matter, for me to be actually able to live that dream was incredible."

But after a long string of injuries including recurring dislocated shoulders, Henderson made the decision to study hatha yoga in 2015.

"I just felt like my body was breaking down and I needed to do something about it. I told my partner at the time I was going to study yoga, and she said, 'Where?' and I said, 'India'. So I booked it and just went and did it."

Henderson explained he doesn't see these decisions as risks, but rather opportunities to experience what the world has to offer.

"It's all just opportunities to grow and experience different cultures, and I can take what I've learnt from all that, and come home and feel as though I have something valuable to offer to the community."

The Mudgee Gulgong Wolves have restructured and reenergised their club, putting a huge level of support behind their first Western Premier League team in 20 years, but it hasn't been easy.

"There's a lot of challenges that you face at this level where you're not getting paid huge amounts of money to be an athlete. Players travel huge distances for games and then come back and do night shift at the mine, or go to work or school the next day."

"We need to credit the squad for their application and for getting to this point. Being on the bottom, in my eyes is a blessing because it gives us an opportunity to go up."

The Mudgee Gulgong Wolves will play their first home game on May 15 at Glen Willow Stadium at 6pm.