A rugby team from Northumbria University, Newcastle, travelled 6,000
miles to China as part of an exciting new sporting partnership.
Northumbria Women’s Rugby 1st team spent 10 days in China and Hong Kong, competing in the fourth annual
2018 China-UK
University Sport Week, completing
their trip with a training camp over two days with the Hong Kong National
Women’s team.
The Sport Week,
organised by the Federation of University Sports of China (FUSC), took place at
Northwestern Polytechnic University, Xi’an, in China, and was aimed at
promoting global sporting links.
Professor Jon Reast, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) at
Northumbria University, said:
“We are the only UK University this
year to be offered both the opportunity to participate in the UK-China
universities Sports Week in Xi’an and to receive a delegation of players and
staff from China.
“This project is a great
opportunity to promote Northumbria University’s international profile through
sport, expanding collaborations and exchanges with partners in Hong Kong and
China. Our students have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this tournament as
well as training with the Hong Kong national women’s team, discussing vital
student exchange opportunities through sport.”
Northumbria was selected
to take part in the Sport Week due to its strength in rugby union, specifically
for the University’s reputation in supporting women’s sport.
The FUSC
contributed much of the cost of the rugby players' accommodation, transport and
activities. As well as training alongside the Chinese players, the students
also got to enjoy their trip off the pitch with guided tours and cultural
activities around the region.
Skye Jackson,
Northumbria Women’s Rugby 1st team Captain, said: “As far as preseason trips
go, it couldn't have been more beneficial to the team; bonding between the new
and old players, playing in extreme weather conditions and being coached at an
international level. The girls are still overwhelmed from this once in a
lifetime opportunity and can't thank Northumbria University enough for making
the trip possible."
Northumbria Women’s Rugby 1st team Coach, Jack Lambert added: “Players worked extremely hard on the pitch and got to
explore a very different culture off it with some fantastic trips and
experiences in both China and Hong Kong. The highlight of the trip was
experiencing an international training camp in Hong Kong which pushed players
physically and mentally but also gave them a taste of international rugby and
how to perform at the highest level.”
