After a record win against the All Blacks last Sunday at Sandy Park, we talk to one of our Brunel University Rugby Scholars Maud Muir, discussing the game and how she is juggling professional rugby as well as a full-time degree.
Maud first started playing rugby at the very young age of 5 in a mixed team at Oxford Harlequins “I was the only girl in the age group! I don’t have a very good memory, but I can remember loving every minute of playing with the boys and the support from all the parents was amazing”.
Wanting to understand more about Mauds motivations and commitment to the game we asked her who has been her inspiration over the years. When Maud was younger her brother was her main inspiration for her involvement in sport. As she has progressed through the sport she has learnt a lot from playing alongside teammates such as Claire Purdy, Cornborough, Hannah West and others in the front row “I have learnt so much from them all”.
Completing a full-time degree is challenging on its own however Maud is currently having to juggle training, playing and managing a professional rugby career alongside studying Sports Science. “It’s hard, I definitely haven’t found the balance yet as rugby is very busy right now, but I just plan in advance and try to get as much done as I can in down time whilst also having time to chill, as training days are super intense!”.
Women’s Rugby has grown in popularity over the last few years and with games like we saw on Sunday is set to continue to progress especially in the UK. When asking Maud her views on the future of women’s rugby she is excited about the trajectory of the sport and its fan base “if England wins the bid for the 2025 World Cup, it will be huge for the growth of the game in this country, which can all benefit the development of the game”.
England Women ran in seven tries to secure their biggest win against world champions New Zealand, with around ten thousand people in the stadium the buzz around the game must have been electric. Facing the All Blacks is a daunting prospect Maud seems to have taken it all in her stride she told me that the day was incredible “the atmosphere and the whole day just felt pretty surreal” commented Maud.
Maud is hoping to be selected and would be excited to play against USA and Canada, however if she is not selected she is excited to get back to her domestic club Wasps Women and continue to develop her game ready for her next shot.
At the end of the interview we asked Maud if she had any words of advice for any girls who’s dream it is to play for their country. “Keep working hard but enjoy every step along the way, it will take up a lot of time, energy and effort but it will all be worth it!”
Trailfinders Trojans Academy welcomes a range of abilities into their programme. If you are looking to play rugby alongside getting a full time degree please email Steve.Wagstaff@etprm.com.
The article was first published by the Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club. Read the
original here.