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Name - Rachel Vickers
Age - 25
Position - Second Row
Country - England
Rachel made her England debut in last year's Churchill Cup and has gone on to play ten games for her country. A year ago she left her job on the south coast to move to London to concentrate on her rugby career. She currently works part time in order to prepare for England's October tour to New Zealand and next year's women's World Cup.
Q - How did you get into rugby?
I'd always fancied giving rugby a try as I thought I'd enjoy it, but the first opportunity I had was when I went to Chichester University so I joined the team there.
Q - How did you get to international level?
At Uni I went to England Student trials and went on to play for them in my final year '99/00. The following season I was picked in the England Academy and after two seasons I was called up to England A where I stayed for another two seasons before I got my first cap for the senior side in June 2004 against Canada in the Churchill Cup.
Q - What coaching and fitness advice do you receive?
On the rugby specific side we have club training twice each week. As part of the England senior squad I have an English Institute of Sport personal trainer who sets my training programme and supervises my weights sessions. I also have regular group sessions with the England coaches for specific individual and unit skills.
Q - What's your top training tip?
For forwards especially it's important that your strength sessions focus on the major muscle groups. Olympic lifts are ideal for this but it's really important that you learn the correct techniques and only attempt them when you have a good overall strength base. |
