º£½ÇÖ±²¥

º£½ÇÖ±²¥ graduate gunning for six nations success

A graduate who played rugby for the first time while at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ is now proudly flying the flag for her country in the Six Nations championships.

Sophie Spence, 25, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top and is now a key member of the Ireland women’s rugby team. She scored the first try in Ireland’s first game in the Six Nations – a narrow 12-10 victory over Wales – and is now looking forward to taking on England at Ashbourne on Saturday.

Sophie, who lives in South Shields, studied BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise (Coaching Science) at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ before going on to complete her MSc Sport Psychology, also at º£½ÇÖ±²¥.

She now works as a Sports Tutor at Hartlepool Sixth Form College.

'I hadn’t played rugby before I came to º£½ÇÖ±²¥, but as well as the course, the social side of being a student was fantastic and I was able to try all kinds of different things,' explained Sophie.

'Rugby just seemed to come naturally and I progressed very quickly. I started out playing for the University team and was asked to play at an Irish exiles training camp – from there I was chosen for the national team.

'Representing my country is the best feeling in the world. I was so proud to score the first try against Wales. Rugby is such an intense, physical sport, it’s something I enjoy so much and I am glad I was able to start this journey at º£½ÇÖ±²¥.'

Sophie is hoping for a second victory in the Six Nations against England on Saturday but knows it will be another tough match.

She added: 'Playing against England will be a fantastic occasion. Hopefully we can build on our performance and come out on top.'

---