Women’s Sport Week 2017: Charlotte Runcie
Scottish Rugby is supporting Women’s Sport Week 2017 to inspire more women and girls to give rugby a go. A range of women are sharing their rugby journey on scottishrugby.org this week to encourage beginners or those who want to return to the sport to #BeTheBestYou.Name: Charlotte RuncieAge: 23Club: Watsonians Ladies and Edinburgh Napier University – Player Tell us about your rugby journey…A friend had started playing rugby for a local team who had around 7/8 girls regularly training once a week. I was 17 at the time and decided to join her, and that very weekend I went along to a National Development League (NDL) session in Montrose, featuring Garioch Ladies, Montrose and Stewartry Sirens.I played for Garioch Ladies who progressed to join the BT Women’s National 2, and also played for Aberdeenshire Quines. I then moved to Edinburgh and after a year of playing games every now and again I decided to give rugby a proper go. I joined Lismore Ladies for a season and then onto Watsonians Ladies in 2015/16.Last season, I joined Scottish Rugby’s Pathway which involves a group of players training three times a week with the support of coaches. A year in the pathway programme has improved my overall strength and conditioning and has been key to my development and eagerness to push on and do what I can to one day hopefully pull on a Scotland jersey. In the 2016/17 season I captained Watsonians Ladies which saw the team experience an unbeaten league run in the BT National 1 League, gaining promotion to the BT Women’s Premier League. We also reached the quarter-finals of the Sarah Beaney Cup and enjoyed various wins during the sevens season.I love sport and fitness and prior to rugby I had participated in many activities and sports from a young age; dance, swimming, athletics, and karate, to name a few. I found that rugby combines a lot of the skills involved in those sports.I was more accustomed to individual sports, but rugby as a team sport, creates a rugby ‘family’ environment which I’ve experienced at each club I’ve been involved in where each player plays and trains for each other, has a laugh and knows when to switch on and play.What do you love about rugby?Teams consist of many different personalities and I’ve met people from all over the world. Women’s rugby thrives on players joining teams regardless of their experience or ability and there are many leagues and teams of different abilities that cater for everyone.Edinburgh Napier’s women’s team has been a great squad to be a part of this year. Many of the girls started playing this year, but training sessions always consisted of about 20 girls, who were all super keen and full of energy with a strong emphasis on fun sessions and getting involved in plenty social events.What would you say to women and girls thinking about trying rugby?Trying rugby played on my mind for a few years after seeing it on TV or watching the local boys play. After my first session I was hooked, and I have met and will continue to meet some of the best people. Training, playing and socialising with your team mates makes you part of a rugby family who always have your back on and off the pitch. Interested in giving rugby a go? With more women’s and girls’ teams being established in Scotland every year, it’s an ideal time to try rugby at a club near you at one of our #BeTheBestYou taster sessions this summer. They’re free, fun and for anyone who wants to try rugby for the first time or perhaps return to the sport after a break. Go to scottishrugby.org/bestyou to sign up now!
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