Alumni and England Rugby Internationals support EUWRFC before Twickenham Final
Alumni Amber Reed and Sam Skinner returned to campus to support and encourage the Exeter Women’s Rugby team before their BUCS Championship Final. Sam and Amber presented the squad with their playing shirts before they departed for Twickenham.
Amber (Sport Science, 2013) is a PE teacher in Bristol and regularly returns to Exeter to assist with pre-season training; she is also a member of the England Roses squad and Captain of Bristol Ladies. Sam (Business, 2016) played for England in the U20 World Cup and signed for Exeter Chiefs on graduation. Sam has remained involved in the rugby club and is forwards coach for the Men’s 1st XV.
During their time at University both Amber and Sam were both Captains of their respective Clubs’ 1st XV sides and led them to victory in BUCS Championship Finals at Twickenham. Before winning the Championship this year, the Women’s side had previously won the Championship in 2013; the Men’s 1stXV won the closely contested Championship Final in 2016.
The knock-out stages of the BUCS competition produce very particular challenges and differences for the team. In these matches, the pressure starts to mount and teams can face the additional challenge of long-distance travel for away fixtures against the likes of Edinburgh or Durham and coaches need to ensure players arrive mentally focused and physically prepared for the games. The empathy that both Sam and Amber have with the players at this stage of their BUCS journey is invaluable. From first-hand experience they provide advice and guidance to the players to help them control what they can, enabling players to focus on each game and using the occasion to inspire them and play to their strengths.