“The best thing I have ever done is join a university sports team” Anna Wash, a second-year sports journalist and UOG’s Women Rugby Union number 9 has said.
University of Gloucestershire’s Women’s Rugby union are part of the University BUCS League competition and have kicked off the season with five back-to-back wins so far this season.
Wash has been part of the University club for almost two years and has experienced a lot of competitions, injuries, fundraisers and awards.
The glos based team have their first game back after the Christmas break in just a few weeks’ time against Cardiff Met and Wash believes that this team is “one of our biggest competitors” all time round.
“I think Cardiff met are usually our biggest competitors. They are a very sport orientated university and sometimes the idea of them makes them more intimidating and makes it quite daunting however we did manage to beat them last year 24-19.”
“It is going to be difficult going into this game considering it is after Christmas, a lot of people would have lost a bit of fitness, not eating the healthiest. So, I think it will be tough, but we have got a whole month of training for the first game and hopefully we can build it back.”
Varsity is one of the biggest sporting university competitions which comes around once a year. The 20-year-old made it to the team last year and has relieved how her team is preparing for the new Varsity season in April. She says:
“From the very first day of the year, varsity is always in the back of everyone’s head. Gav the coach, always comments towards it. If he isn’t happy with something, then he will mention that you need to think about this if you want to make it to the varsity team and the lead up to varsity we need to be committed.”
“We probably would take a drinking ban again for a commitment thing for the girls for a realisation so we can be serious and professional. This year we will up the intensity, we will be training frequently.”
Balancing university and playing for a sports team is one struggle that many students face. Wash has struggled with this issue at her time at University and has given some advice to those who are in a similar position to her.
“I have struggled with balancing university work and playing for a university club especially this year. But the fact that I do a sport related course I managed to merge the two together so when I am out doing stuff for the game then I can always link it back to my course.”
“It is so important to have a break from all the university written work and stress from assignments and I think playing sports is the best way and I found that it works hand in hand with keeping my mental health in tune.”
Wash will return back on the pitch for their BUCS League game away against Cardiff Met on the 8th of February.
