Scholar interview: Sam Randle
Samuel Randle (final year LLB Law) is one of four Brunel students that has been awarded a Mo Farah Foundation Scholarship. These scholarships acknowledge talented and driven athletes, and provide them with financial, practical and technical support while they combine studying and training. Sam is a professional rugby player for Ealing RFC and represented Great Britain in the Student 7s in 2013. He told us how he manages to balance a law degree with being a rugby pro.
Why did you choose to study law?
I have wanted to become a lawyer since the age of 15 or so, but I delayed studying it until now because I was worried the amount of contact time and reading would not allow me to play rugby. However Brunel are really good in terms of lecture and seminar scheduling in the sense that I miss minimal training and still receive excellent tuition.
What has been the most interesting part of your course?
Definitely the modules covered in my final year, Law of the European Union to name one. It is very much a ‘Marmite’ relationship in that some weeks I find it extremely interesting and easy to comprehend, others it feels like trying to learn Mandarin!
How is your training going? And what has been the season’s highlight?
Training is going well. Unfortunately I’ve had a string of injuries in the past two months which hampered my training somewhat. However, it gave me the time to correctly rehabilitate them with my strength and conditioning coaches and physios and now, fingers crossed, will be injury free and fit leading into the Sevens season. My season highlight was definitely making my professional debut for Ealing in December against Moseley RFC.
How has your scholarship made a difference to your studies?
My Mo Farah Foundation Scholarship has helped immensely with the things that everyone forgets about when combining studying and training. The financial assistance is invaluable and means that I don’t have to sacrifice study time or training hours in place of a part time job.
How do balance your studies with your rugby commitments?
I train five days a week. Balancing club and university club commitments was relatively simple as both sets of coaches were very understanding to each situation. The simplest answer to balancing your training and studies is prioritising and time management. If you want to succeed in anything you need to be able to prioritise training and lectures/seminar work ahead of things like going out. Also, a midday post-training, pre-lecture nap for 20 minutes never hurts.
Where do you hope to be in five years’ time?
I have always aspired to playing the highest level possible and I got a glimpse of that last year representing GB; if I could do that again it would be a dream come true. But in terms of five year plans I am not too sure really. Law has always been my plan and so hopefully I see myself working as a successful newly qualified solicitor in London, but having reached and attained all my aspirations in rugby first.