England Students Step into the Senior Game

Four players who participated in the England Students programme, Naomi Brennan, Alessia Skeates, Lola Whitley and Zoe Dare, are now making their mark at Exeter Chiefs. From grassroots clubs to university rugby and into the PWR Cup, they reflect on the people, experiences, and decisions that have shaped their journeys so far.

Can you talk us through your rugby journey so far?

Naomi Brennan: “I started playing when I was 7, back home in Cumbria. I played in a mixed team up until I was 12, then had around four years off. I got back into it and decided to move to Hartpury College, then went to Exeter Uni, and then now here at Exeter Chiefs.”

Alessia Skeates: “I started playing at school in Durham when I was in year 7. I actually wanted to do women's boxing, but they stopped that, so I thought the next best thing would be women's rugby! I got spotted at a school tournament and then joined Houghton RFC and County COV, before coming to Exeter University. I didn't really expect anything to come of it, but it luckily led me to Exeter Chiefs.”

Lola Whitley: “I started playing rugby when I was 13. I heard about Hartpury College, which I fell in love with and went on to study rugby there. I then progressed into the university programme, which is when I changed position into second row and started taking it more seriously. I got the opportunity to play in the under-20s programme and also push through to Gloucester, where I played in PWR Cup.”

Zoe Dare: “I’m from Devon, so I started playing for a local club when I was in year 10, right through to under-18s. I went to Cardiff University and fell on my feet with the programme there. In my third year, we were promoted into BUCS Super Rugby, and I captained the team that season. After that, I got the chance to go to Hartpury on a scholarship to do a Master’s in Sports Management, where I also played for Gloucester in the PWR Cup. Then I got the opportunity to come back home to Devon and join Exeter Chiefs!”

Have you faced any challenges during your transition into senior rugby?

Lola Whitley: “Moving my life over here was probably the biggest challenge, as I’d been in Gloucester for five years. But it’s been such a welcoming environment, and I feel like we both slotted in really well. The girls have been so friendly and made it a really enjoyable place to be.”

Zoe Dare: “Coming into any high-achieving sports environment is always going to be tough. Finding where you fit within the team, especially as a younger player trying to push your standards every week, can be hard. But it's also brilliant.”

Naomi Brennan: “The biggest thing for me has been the support for women's rugby. The accessibility from a younger age isn’t the same as on the men’s side, but you just have to keep going and find a way to play.”

Alessia Skeates: “I think within women's rugby, some people care so much, and you can really feel that. But sometimes we just don't get what we deserve. There are definitely still a lot of disparities in the game, which can make it difficult.”

When did senior rugby start to become a realistic goal for you?

Lola Whitley: “Definitely around university time, when I was involved in BUCS Super Rugby. It was such an amazing league to be a part of, and that’s when I decided I wanted to take rugby further.”

Zoe Dare: “It was the same for me, being part of BUCS Super Rugby. I had a conversation with Andrew Ford about coming to Hartpury and getting the opportunity to be in a professional programme, surrounded by Gloucester Hartpury players, made me believe that I could really do this.”

Naomi Brennan: “It was always a dream for me growing up. I knew I wanted to get back into rugby somehow. University gave me the chance to explore what senior rugby looked like in a professional environment, before eventually getting to play with Exeter Chiefs.”

Alessia Skeates: “It came a lot later for me, I never expected it to actually happen. It’s only really been in the last year, but I'm so glad that I'm doing it. At school we only had a small girls’ team, and we’d maybe get one game a year. So, I didn’t think this could be something for the future, but I'm really glad it’s become that.”

Were there any key people or moments that helped shape your pathway?

Naomi Brennan: “When I was younger and the only girl in my team, it was my coaches and my dad who supported me. They showed me I could go far with rugby if I pushed myself and believed in myself. At Chiefs, Poppy Leitch is the forwards coach, and I honestly couldn't have asked for anyone better. She has made the environment so driven and seeing what she does every day is just astounding.”

Alessia Skeates: “My parents were probably my biggest driver growing up because they saw that I enjoyed it, so pushed me to go further with it. And with Poppy (Leitch), I've never had a coach who cares that much. She's literally a superwoman who does so much all the time!”

Lola Whitley: “Andrew Ford was the one who pushed to bring me up to BUCS early, because he saw something in me. That experience was what progressed me into the 20s and eventually into PWR. I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”

Zoe Dare: “My dad has pushed me in everything I've ever done. He’s my biggest supporter and is the loudest at every single game. Then Fin Kelly, who is the founder of Savvy Panthers, a 7s team. Playing in the 7s pushed every part of my game – my skills, physicality, speed. He is such a brilliant mentor and the most amazing advocate for grassroots women's rugby, right up to the top level.”

What has been the best part about playing in the PWR Cup?

Lola Whitley: “We've had some great opportunities. It was especially exciting a couple of weeks ago when we played Gloucester Hartpury, which is our old club. It felt a bit strange playing against all of our friends again, but it was really nice to get a run out against them.”

Zoe Dare: “The quality of the rugby and players in the cup is incredible. Having this opportunity to find our feet at such a high level before the PWR season is amazing.”

Naomi Brennan: “It's great to see the mix of up-and-coming players and really experienced ones, and to be able to play in that kind of environment.”

Alessia Skeates: “You're surrounded by these iconic people in the game who you want to be on the same level as. Some of the girls in the PWR Cup have played for England and that’s exactly what I want to be pushing for. It’s so inspiring being around them.”

How has the England Students programme helped your player development?

Naomi Brennan: “It was quite a whirlwind of a week, but it came at a really good time, right in the middle of pre-season. I think we all came back with so much more confidence. We gelled with players we'd played against for years, and it reminded us of why we all play in the first place.”

Alessia Skeates: “Pre-season can be tough, but that week was full of so much happiness. Don’t get me wrong, it was intense, but everything had a purpose. Everyone who was involved in that experience wanted us to excel, and it was such a nice feeling.”

Lola Whitley: “Every girl came out of that week with an amazing experience. It was a very tough week, where we trained almost every day, but we produced a great game. You’d think we’d played together for years, but we were only together for one week.”

Zoe Dare: “We gained so much confidence in ourselves by playing into our strengths, which I think was really important. It gave us a huge boost going into the cup, knowing that we could put out that level of performance. They’ve built something really, really special there.”

How does it feel to see the Red Roses perform on the world’s biggest stage?

Naomi Brennan: “It's been massive! We’ve been to all the games at Sandy Park, and walking in to see over 13,000 people there to watch women's rugby is incredible. Even when we started playing rugby, it was just a couple of parents on the sideline, so it’s great to see them getting the recognition they deserve.”

Alessia Skeates: “We’ve been watching the games at home and have been getting goosebumps from the stories that have been told – especially the fight that some teams have to go through to reach the World Cup. We’re in a very lucky position when considering that, but the Red Roses are just so inspiring. They're amazing players and I hope I get to play against a couple of them soon.”

Lola Whitley: “It's gets more and more exciting each year seeing the talent coming through. The standard of the competition keeps getting higher, which makes it even more competitive.”

Zoe Dare: “A lot of the younger players, including myself, wouldn't be here if we didn’t want to do what they’re doing. Being able to see it is really inspiring and this World Cup is giving us an extra bit of inspiration for the PWR Cup.”

Exeter Chiefs will face Saracens in the semi-final of the PWR Cup next weekend at StoneX Stadium.