England Rugby and Harlequins star Shaunagh Brown, visited Swanley Rugby Club in July to put the Black Swans through their paces early on a Saturday morning. Shaunagh, who has played for Harlequins since 2017 and has made 22 appearances for England was invited by the club to train their women’s side ahead of their new season campaign starting in September.
In a World Cup year, which Shaunagh is expected to make the England team once again, the Prop said of her visit to Swanley: “Being here is good for me because I coach as well, and it’s good to remember the basics. Sometimes in elite sports we over complicate things, so taking it back to basics helps me breaks things down.”
“When I come to do these sessions, I love to give them little bits to take away with them. If you look after the ball it changes the game.”
Talking about the team and their results last season, Shaunagh said: “I’ve already joked with some of the girls about the score lines last year when they were losing 100 to nothing, and that by the end of the season it was only 40-0. That’s actually progress.”
Shaunagh added: “The other side of rugby is the friendship, it’s the people you meet along the way, the social side of it, just getting this many women out exercising and being active on a Saturday morning is incredible.
Meanwhile, the club are hosting their first Touch Rugby Tournament, Swanfest, at Swanley Recreation Ground on Saturday 13th August, see below. Starting at 12pm the all-day community event will involve local businesses with a BBQ, a pitch side bar, kids inflatables, charity stalls and an all day disco.