Rugby players receive national touch
Rugby players at Bucks have been gaining training tips from two
top England women's internationals, thanks to the University's
link-up with London
Wasps.
The Bucks second XV rugby team is coached by
Katherine Merchant, 24, and Rochelle Clark, 28, members of
England’s women’s rugby team. The pair
have been coaching the team since January, after being approached
by Wasps’ Community Rugby Manager Dave Larham. They plan to
continue coaching the side next season too.
Their input helped the University side lift the BUCS Plate
Conference trophy at Adams Park on Monday 17th May. The Bucks
second team beat St George’s of
the University of London 15-12 with a late try from second row
Tim Lawson.
Rochelle, known as Rocky, plays in the second row of the
national side and Katherine, known as Kat, is a winger.
Rocky said, “It has been a great experience working with the
university side.
“I appreciate it’s not the norm for a guys team to be coached by
women but to win the final was a fantastic achievement. It was
clear early on that the boys had a lot of potential. They have
progressed and developed as individuals and grown as a team.
“The team has adapted its playing style to reflect the coaching
focus, where heads-up rugby from 1-15 is given priority over
structured play. The pace of the boys’ game has improved and the
ability to get the ball into space is continually developing.
"They have been a pleasure to coach and I hope that next season
we can build and make the same progress.
“I hope the BUCS Plate Conference won’t have been the
last final I will have contributed to this year."
Both Kat and Rocky will be playing for England in the Women’s Rugby World Cup later this
year, in England from 20 August to 5 September.
Bucks New University is the official education partner of London
Wasps, in an agreement that sees sport, education and business
working together to benefit the community.