CHRIS Bridge’s rugby league story is a tale of what sport and family can do for an individual.

Talking openly about his life and career this week, a player who has never sought the media limelight is a very different man now to the teenager who entered the paid ranks.

Some of his growth from boy to man comes with the ageing process, of course, but there were some concerns in his early days with Warrington.

He admits to too much socialising and not taking his work seriously enough, understanding for many years now that such a lifestyle does not fit with success in elite-level sport.

It is a lesson in professionalism he is able to pass down to rising talents as he starts to celebrate 10 seasons in primrose and blue.

Half back Gareth O’Brien is one player to have highlighted how Bridgey has “taken me under his wing” and is “a real role model for the boys”.

Within the camp it is clear he has the respect and love of all his teammates.

It was 2009 that proved to be a defining period for Chris.

Settling down in a relationship, preparing for the arrival of his daughter, being left out of the team by Tony Smith and then having a stable role at right centre after Martin Gleeson’s departure all played a part.

Wolves’ recent history of success may not have materialised in the same way if it had not been for one particular performance from Chris.

He has had many good days — among them the five tries he scored in a Challenge Cup demolition of Huddersfield in 2010, a match-turning double off the bench at Bradford in 2005, his performances at stand off last year when Wolves were struggling with the loss of Lee Briers.

For me, the display in a quarter-final win at Hull KR en route to Wembley in 2009 stands out.

We all remember Briers slotting over the golden-point drop goal, sending the Wolves fans bananas.

But who made a crucial darting run from dummy half to set up that play? Who scored the try that completed a comeback to be even in with a chance of winning? And who landed all the conversions, including some from the touchline, having not been first-choice kicker for two years? Chris Bridge is the answer to all three.

Without that win, there would have been no historic back-to-back double one year later and maybe even Smith’s Warrington experience would not have gone as sweetly as it did so soon after his arrival.

It seems quite fitting, then, that Hull KR will be the opponents for Chris’ Testimonial game on Sunday.