Connie Clark has been playing rugby with Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club (PGRFC) since year 7 and has recently made her debut for England U18 Sevens at the Rugby Europe Championship in Prague.
AdvertisementFrom a young age, Connie has shown a love for the game. By the age of 14 she had been selected for the Lancashire U15 team and has thrived since.
She moved through the ranks with the help of her coaches at PGRFC, and at 16 she was selected for Lancashire’s 18s.
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Progressing to the Sale Sharks Girls Academy, Connie was selected for the Nationals Talent Development Group at U18 for Girls which is where she made the step up to England sevens back in July.
This season, Connie will be playing at PGRFC while still developing through the TDG and Sale Sharks Academy. She may even make her Women’s Premiership Debut for Sale Sharks Women this season at 17 years old in the Women’s Premier 15s. A great achievement for someone so young.
Connie’s mum Sarah said: “Rugby has been Connie’s passion for years since she first played mixed rugby at Blackburn. Moving into the girls-only game at year 7, she joined Preston Grasshoppers, and hasn’t looked back since. The support she’s had from her amazing teammates and her coach, Steve Tiernan cannot be be under-estimated.
“They have all helped her achieve her long-standing dream of playing for England. We’re so proud of her, and grateful for the fantastic opportunities she’s been so lucky to have.
“Hopefully she won’t be the last girl at Preston Grasshoppers to wear a representative shirt, and judging by the success of the girls section there, it might not be too long!”
Through the TDG, Connie will likely progress into the England U18s Six Nations Squad and hopefully, in the not-so-distant future, grow into a fully bloomed England Red Rose.
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Her coach Steve said: “When I first met Connie, she was a young excited girl who just wanted to play rugby. It was obvious she loved the game and just wanted to run in space and have fun and wow, when she started to play even from such a young age, she had such speed and agility, we knew we had someone exciting.
“Since then, Connie has grown both as a person and a player and it’s no surprise that she has made her debut for England. Her athletic ability aside, Connie just had the attitude. She expected nothing and always worked hard to progress through Hoppers, Lancashire and now the more elite levels of the game.
“This is the basis of a successful athlete and it’s been a pleasure and a great source of pride for me as a coach and for the Hoppers Girls section to have helped produce such a grounded young lady who will continue to be a source of pride for her family and friends.
“I have no doubt many of us will be at Twickenham one day shouting her name where I will be one of the loudest proudest voices!”
The club has a thriving girl’s rugby section and welcomes members of all abilities. To find out more about the team, email info@pgrfc.co.uk.
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