University of Gloucestershire’s rugby league man, Luis Rowe, is the latest UGRL player to be handed an international call-up, with the prop-forward set to earn his first cap for Portugal in June.
Representing his mum’s side of his family, Rowe will wear the famous Portugal colours for the first time in their match against France Police RL on June 27th.
“Honestly, I’m so excited,” he said, “I’m so excited to fly out, be back in the country and get training and playing.”
“There is a lot of experience in the team, so I can’t wait to get started and be a part of it.”
“My mother is fully Portuguese, both my grandparents are Portuguese, they live about 40-minutes outside of Lisbon, so that is how I’ve been eligible to play for them.”
It comes after a historic season for Rowe, who played a big part in the University’s unbeaten season, which saw them win the league and the cup, winning the cup final, which saw the club perform the season at the annual Students’ Union awards.
“The season filled me with so much pride. In my first year, we were completely hammered by every team except one. Pretty much the same in the second year, but the games were closer until the final 10-minutes. So there was a lot of heartbreak last year when we were relegated.
“The efforts we put in during those two years have paid off, winning the league and winning the cup, it’s a testament to all our efforts over the three years.”
The season saw the team nominated for eleven awards at the SU awards, including coach of the year, Jay Woodley, most improved club, and the Feeding Gloucester campaign was up for the campaign of the year award, to name just a few.
“That is one of the most ridiculous parts of the whole season. In my first year, we didn’t get nominated for a single award, last year we were up for two, and this year, club wide and individual, it was eleven.
“It just shows the growth we’ve had as a club over the last few years, the way we present ourselves to the SU, and the way we play.
“It all goes hand in hand.
The accolades didn’t stop there, as upon the end of the season, UGRL were invited to spend an evening with the UoG Vice Chancellor, Dame Clare Marchant, along with the men’s football team.
“That was pretty amazing, to be honest. It was a bit surreal.
“When I was told about it, I was a bit taken aback. It was a really nice gesture to invite us to the men’s football. I was very proud. Everyone was dressed up nicely. It was a lovely occasion.”
Rowe is just the latest UoG name to be called up to an international side. James Boyles, Tega Rume-Tabiowo and Oli Winterbottom all featured for England students as well as representatives at Wales, Scotland and Brazil.
The front-rower was quick to praise the RL programme at the university, with his international call-up showing how far you can come in your time at the Uni.
“The amount of international honours people have got over these three years is ridiculous. Three lads were selected for the England students. We’ve had Scotland students, Wales students. Vini is playing for Brazil. We have people eligible for Poland. It’s ridiculous.
“It all comes down to Jay as a coach, driving the standards and making sure everyone gets to train, helping with their individual development, as well as our development as a team.
“I owe it all to him.
“Before I came to play for Uni, I had played all of 20-minutes of rugby union. I had barely ever touched rugby.
“But through the help of all the boys over the years, and Jay being there has helped me get to this point.
“I couldn’t have expected the call-up, but I couldn’t be happier.”
