A COLLEGE athlete is hoping to face the haka after being selected to play in a prestigious rugby sevens competition in New Zealand.
Darlington College second year level 3 sports science student Lucy Patey is part of an EggChaser Academy squad which will travel to the other side of the world in December.
The EggChaser Sevens is an international men’s, women’s and youth rugby sevens tournament, which will be staged in Auckland from December 8-17.
EggChaser Sevens Academy began in the UK as the only direct route to professional sevens. Currently, with more than 2,000 players within the programme, aspiring young players can earn the opportunity of a professional contract with the Lions or Lionesses when they leave school.
Lucy, of Catterick Garrison, plays second row for Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club but because she is fast and agile, as well as strong, she was urged by her coaches to take part in North East trials for the EggChaser Sevens.
The 17-year-old was successful and played in an U18s tournament in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, helping the team win the whole competition, after which she was selected to go to New Zealand.
“About five years ago, a friend asked me to play rugby just to make the numbers up in Richmond and I have stuck with it ever since,” said the former pupil of Risedale School, Catterick.
“I love being in the scrum, it just comes naturally to me, it’s such fun. I am good with the ball and breaking through the line and to be representing the country at sevens in New Zealand is very cool. I love sevens, the faster pace, you are constantly on the go, which is even more enjoyable.
“I’ve only ever been as far as Switzerland so am really excited about going to New Zealand. My parents are very supportive and my college tutors have been great and will help me catch up on the work I miss while I am there. I really hope we get to play New Zealand and get to face a Black Ferns haka.”
Lucy trains five days out of seven, with her team once a week, playing matches on Sundays, as well as running and gym work.
After Darlington College she is hoping to study a degree at Hartpury University, Gloucestershire, with the ultimate ambition of playing for the local premiership club side Gloucester, as well as the GB Sevens Team and the England Roses 15s side.
Eventually she’d also like to become a strength and conditioning coach for rugby and other sports.
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.c.uk.