Q&A with Daisy Travers

Q&A with Daisy Travers

Bristol Ladies 2^nd XV Squad Member

Daisy, tell us a bit about yourself – what is your day job?

I recently qualified as an accountant and was working for PriceWaterhouse Coopers, a big accountancy firm, but I’m now about to start a new job. My professional training has taken quite a lot of time, and now I’m qualified I’ve decided to move roles to give me a bit more time to do the things I enjoy, and get to training more regularly!

So how does an accountant end up playing rugby in her spare time?

I played one game of rugby before I went to university, a friends boyfriend convinced me to give it a go and I loved it.

I studied Sports Science at UWIC, which is a rugby university so I got involved as a fresher and never looked back! A few of the girls at Bristol also studied at UWIC, but we graduated a few years back and it’s kind of scary to see all these amazing 18 year olds coming through the ranks!

This is only your first season with Bristol, where did you play before?

Straight after university I moved to Guernsey for my job and that’s where I met my husband. I spent 6 years there and came back to Bristol in September. I’m originally from Devon so wanted to be near my family, but was also able to transfer to Bristol with my company.

So how did you end up at Bristol Ladies?

So I played rugby in Guernsey and we came over to Bristol to play a friendly tournament one summer. We got completely hammered, but I knew from then that I’d join Bristol if I ever got the chance. The standard of rugby but also the warm welcome we got as visitors was really appealing.

What have you enjoyed most about playing for Bristol Ladies so far?

The standard is amazing – playing alongside and against international players is such a great feeling. There is so much experience and everyone is so friendly you are just constantly learning. Seeing the really strong youngsters is fantastic too, the talent they have at such a young age is awesome and they also bring a lot of fun to the team. 

What position do you play? Have you always played there?

I’ve actually played both back row and front row before and this season for the first time ever I also played 2nd row. I love the forwards, scrummaging, working together as a pack and I just generally love the contact side of things. I’m also not particularly fast, so being a back was never really an option although I did have a reluctant season at 10 whilst our normal fly half was pregnant. 

What is your best rugby experience so far?

At University we reached the BUSA finals and we got to play at Twickenham – and we won! Some of the girls that play at Bristol were around in my university team – Kate Newton, Nolli Waterman and Sammy Knighton were all there at the same time as me.

What are your aims for the future?

I’m looking to keep playing for as long as possible. This is my first season with Bristol Ladies and I’ve not even been here all season. I want to really cement my place in the 2^nd team starting line-up, and would love to get some more 1^st team games. I played 20 minutes in the 1^st team game against Wasps. It was nerve wracking but it was hugely enjoyable.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you about rugby?

Just enjoy it, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Play because you enjoy it and that’s when you’ll play your best.

My rugby coach at University, Kylie Wilson, was amazing – when I first started playing I didn’t have much confident and used to doubt myself. She taught me to back myself and really helped my confidence levels.

Who is your rugby idol?

Richie McCaw! My sister in law is half Mauri and works for the company that dresses the All Blacks – I get signed shirts and other bits and pieces from her which is incredible.

What are your thoughts on the status of womens rugby in the UK?

It’s really exciting! It’s cool to be involved in a sport that is going through a change, and getting bigger. It was a minority sport when I was studying at UWIC and now you’ve got professionals, girls earning a living by playing rugby – I’m so proud to be part of it.

QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS

• What has been one of your greatest accomplishments as an athlete?

Playing at Twickenham during the BUSA finals

• What was the most lopsided win?

Guernsey vs Weymouth. The final score was  101 – 0! It was pretty tiring to be honest.

• Describe an embarrassing athletic moment:

My husband is a triathlete and he convinced me to do a race with lots of people we knew. I came last. Mortifying.

• Who would you say is your “biggest fan?” Why?

Definitely my husband – we’re quite a competitive couple! He’s recently qualified for the GB triathlon team so he knows what it’s like to play sport. He’s my biggest critic but also my biggest supporter.

• What was the scariest thing you have had to do? Are you glad you did it?

Playing for the 1^st team for Bristol, it was really scary! The quality of players on the pitch was amazing, and you really don’t want to let them down. I enjoyed it, but it was terrifying too!

• What was the last thing you saw someone do that really impressed you?

My fabulous old rugby team in Guernsey getting accepted into an RFU league for the first time ever this year, and then going and winning it! We all put so much effort in to setting up the team and recruiting players. I’m so proud that they’ve come so far, and was lucky enough to join them this a month or so ago, where they won the Siam Cup against Jersey (17-7) to top off a really successful season.

Bristol Ladies Announce New Coaching Staff for 2015/16 Season

Bristol Ladies Announce New Coaching Staff for 2015/16 Season

Bristol Ladies are pleased to confirm the appointment of three new coaches to the team ahead of the 15/16 season.

Royston Davies and James Hall take on the positions of 1st XV and 2nd XV Forwards coaches respectively, and Sebastian Delport joins as lead 2nd XV Coach, all on a one year long contract.

Davies - who hails from Llanelli, South Wales - began his playing career at local club Bynea RFC, before joining Hartpury College in 2001. Spells at Moseley RFC and Lydney followed before injury forced early retirement from the game. Rejoining his boyhood club, Davies was appointed Director of Rugby and spent two successful years there. A fully qualified level 3 coach, Roy currently coaches the RFU Junior Academy, Bristol Rugby DPP programme and South West U20s, whilst also lecturing in Sport at Bridgewater College and spending any spare time he has with long-suffering wife Sarah and their children Eva-Lily and Cato.

'I am both honoured and exited to be joining a club of the calibre of Bristol Ladies. There is a huge amount of talent within the squad, and I'm looking forward to working alongside the players in order to maximise the potential that is here, and hopefully achieve our goals both individually and collectively. It's not every day you get an opportunity to work in elite rugby, and I can't wait to get started'

Hall - who is part of the current Bristol Rugby squad- played for Newcastle Falcons before moving to Bristol Rugby in 2013. Alongside a degree in Physical Education from Liverpool John Moores University, James has completed his rugby coaching qualification and has coached school sides in Newcastle, whilst recently helping local club Broad Plain RFC 1st XV remain in their league after a difficult season.

"I'm really excited to be joining a rugby club who play at the highest level of the women's game. The chance to develop the 2^nd XV and help players who strive to play in the 1st XV and beyond achieve their goals is a challenge I'm really looking forward too."

(image by John White Media)

Delport - who takes up the position of 2nd XV Lead Coach (specialising in back play) - comes to Bristol Ladies from Zimbabwe, via stints in both South Africa and Australia. Having established youth development academies at Rockingham and Mandurah Rugby Clubs in Perth, Western Australia, he has also performed the role of Development Officer for the Cairns region of Far North Queensland during his time with Queensland Rugby Union. After moving to the UK in April, Sebastian plans to study alongside coaching Bristol Ladies.

'I'm really passionate about the development of young talent, and am excited to be joining Bristol Ladies Rugby as Women’s Rugby continues to go from strength to strength throughout the UK'

Club Chairwoman Heidi Chapman Mercer is excited about the future of the club. ‘It’s great to bring some new faces into the club, and from such a diverse range of backgrounds, James, Roy and Sebastian will each bring something unique to the club. The club is starting on a new journey and I can’t wait to see where it takes us. A big thank you must go out to Matt Belbin and Pete Reakes for the work they’ve put in over the last few seasons too – they’ve done an incredible job’.

Pete Reakes has moved into a multi-faceted role within the club, using his knowledge and areas of expertise to help develop Bristol Ladies across multiple platforms, whilst Matt Belbin has moved into a coaching role with National League Three side Old Reds. Everyone at Bristol Ladies wishes Matt the best of luck with his new role, and are excited to work with Pete in his new position.

There is one remaining vacancy in the coaching set up, with the role of 1^st XV Backs Coach still up for grabs. For further information and a job description please email Heidi.chapman-mercer@bristol-sport.co.uk. The deadline for applications is the 3^rd June.