By Andrew Henderson Gateshead Thunder and Scotland

The off-season is usually a time to put your feet up, but it's not been quite that simple for me this time around.

Fresh from playing at the World Cup for Scotland, I went to see my folks in Australia, got married and had a new child, Ruby Rose.

As if that wasn't enough, when I got back to the UK in January I moved up to Durham from Yorkshire, having signed for Gateshead in National League One. Some rest!

Ruby Rose will hopefully grow up as a Gateshead Thunder fan with an interest in Castleford. That's because I had to leave Cas to move up to the north east thanks to the new quota rules.

I really wanted to stay at Cas but I had no option. The Rugby Football League introduced new regulations regarding quota players which limited my opportunities in Super League.

I was, and still am, pretty angry about the changes. I became classed as a quota player even though I was born here and played out my career here. Cas made it clear they couldn't accommodate me, so I had to look at the National Leagues.

I've become the face of the club at Gateshead, which is understandable given my experience and good looks!

Gateshead gave me a great opportunity, which I took. I had other options, but I saw the Thunder as a big challenge.

It's outside the rugby league heartland and I'm hoping to be able to develop some young players up here as well as develop the game in the north east.

Gateshead have a three to six-year plan and I honestly believe we can make it into Super League when the licences come up for renewal. The coaching staff are full-time, as are about half of the players.

I'm actually being used as a bit of a publicity tool following my move. I've become the face of the club, which is understandable given my experience and good looks!

It was a rocky start, though, as I was signed for the club by my former coach at Castleford, Dave Woods. He led Gateshead to promotion last year but was then sacked after only a year in the job and just a month before the season started.

Henderson plans to stay in touch with his old mates at Cas

I just couldn't get hold of him, so I left the club a message. They got back to me within 24 hours to say they were investigating Dave and I didn't really know what was going on until a couple of days later when I heard he had left.

Everything was up in the air when I returned but the boys have just got on with it. A lot of them were pretty close to Dave and were sad to lose him, but it's a great opportunity for Chris Hood.

We have a quality side, and a youthful one at that. I'm the granddad at 29! And just because I'm outside Super League now doesn't mean the egos or characters are any smaller.

Our winger Danny Wilson is a real character and Jason Payne is a wild one, but I knew that from our days at Cas together.

It's a bit weird because half the squad is half-time and half of it full-time so we have to hang around until late afternoon to have a full training session together.

I've been intrigued by the start of Super League. My old team are looking pretty good: Terry Matterson recruited really well and kept the core of last year's side.

There's a great balance, loads of young guys and a lot more depth in the forwards. They'd have been surprised to lose to Harlequins, but the Wigan win was a great one and I'm sure they'll go well.

As for Gateshead, we have signed some top players. We just used to get blokes coming from the Australian bush leagues but now we're getting guys with NRL experience. It's going to be a lot more competitive this year.

Usually if a player drops out of Super League, he would sign for a team they think can get them straight back up, but you don't have to think like that now

You tend to see the local talent signing for their local club, which means there is an even sprinkling of talent right through the league.

I believe the new Super League licensing system - far from alienating everyone outside of Super League - is actually looking after the grassroots.

Usually if a player drops out of Super League, he would sign for a team they think can get them straight back up, but you don't have to think like that now.

And a number of clubs are linking up with Super League clubs - as Leigh have done with Wigan - so young kids are now seeing this as their chance to hit the big time.

I'm going to be taking all my coaching badges this year, but playing will remain the big focus.

It's going to be a very different season for me, that's for sure. I'll keep you posted on how I get on with my monthly column for the BBC Sport website. I hope you enjoy it.

Andrew Henderson was talking to BBC Sport's George Riley

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