Bristol Ladies Rugby: Two players gain sponsorship deal from CrossFit Avon

Noel Smith and Moore gain sponsorship deal from

CrossFit Avon

Bristol Ladies Rugby is the only self-sufficient Women’s Rugby Club in the UK, raising the money to run the club through fundraising events, sponsorship and player annual subscription fees.

Izzy Noel Smith (Number 8) and Sian Moore (Scrum Half) have both looked to local organisations for sponsorship to support them and allow them to continue to play rugby at the highest level, and have found sponsorship from CrossFit Avon and Head Coach Andrew Clark.

CrossFit is a fitness training system which is scalable and therefore suitable for any committed individual, regardless of experience or current fitness. It’s built around three principles: functionality (using multiple muscle groups at one time), variation (each session is different, keeping the body guessing) and intensity (shorter workouts with as little rest as possible). The great thing about CrossFit is that an elite athlete, an average exerciser and a first time elderly participant will be found doing the same workout, but scaled down (or up!!) to suit their own abilities. This means our training is suitable (and in fact, ideal) for all.

CrossFit Avon was founded by Andrew Clark, who started using CrossFit himself in 2009. He opened his own gym in Bristol in March 2010 and later affiliated to CrossFit.

Izzy Noel Smith started playing rugby at the age of eight at Monmouth and has since represented England at U19, U20, Sevens and senior level. Having been introduced to CrossFit through her England team mates, she is thrilled to have their sponsorship this year.

Sian Moore has been playing rugby since she was 17, and represented Wales in this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in France. The sponsorship from CrossFit also means a lot to Sian.

How has having sponsorship from CrossFit Avon helped you, personally and within your rugby?

IZZY: As women's rugby is currently amateur both at an international and premiership level, the sponsorship from Crossfit Avon has helped me financially to train to the best of my ability. It is local to me which it means I am able to manage my dual commitments easily – I can work, attend training with Bristol Ladies and maintain a high level of fitness without extra travel and cost. Since training at Crossfit Avon I have had both group and individual coaching on various power lifts and movements facilitating me in becoming more powerful for my position in rugby. I’ve seen real benefits in my ability to lift more and more efficiently after expert coaching from the team.

SIAN: The sponsorship has really allowed me to increase my level of fitness. The gym membership but also access to highly trained staff and instructors is such a massive help. CrossFit a really refreshing take on training and the set up at CrossFit Avon is brilliant. There is so much variety which keeps you engaged throughout and there are lots of transferable components that you work on in training that relate directly to rugby.

What do you enjoy about Crossfit Avon?

IZZY: The coaches and people who train there are so friendly and make everyone feel welcome. It has given me a new focus and drive to keep pushing myself at that a really high level. I also love the variety, the competitive element and the intensity of each workout – it’s something new each time I go and because you don't know what it's going to be each morning you end up working on things you might subconsciously try to avoid otherwise!

SIAN: I really love training in a group – the community feel is fantastic and really motivates you and keeps going, especially those 7am sessions. I’ve met a great group of individuals and it’s lovely to see other developing, and it really gives you that push to go that bit further. As Izzy says, everyone is so friendly and supportive, you can’t help but give it your all every session!

For more information about CrossFit Avon, visit their website, http://www.crossfitavon.com/ or email info@crossfitavon.com.

The gym can be found at:

Unit 15 Merton Rd,

Horfield, Bristol, BS7 8TL