COMMITTEE 2026/2027
President - Ori Vajner
Vice President - Sharnti O’Connor
Treasurer - Milli Carew
BUCS 1XV Captain - Emily Rigby
Vice captain - Anya Hughes
Publicity Secretary’s - Lyndsey Engelbrecht & Mika Charway
Social Secretaries - Hayley Clements-Baker & Issy Smythe
Welfare Officer - Mollie Schofield
Sustainability Officer - Anya Hughes
Community and Outreach Officer - Debbie Kerrison
First Year Rep -
WHO ARE WE?
Women’s rugby is a community of individuals brought together by our shared love of fitness, challenge, and connection. Known across campus for our inclusivity and positive energy, we’ve built a safe and empowering environment where women can thrive both physically and mentally. Our club is designed for all abilities, from complete beginners to premiership-level players, with training tailored to help everyone progress and improve. Whether you’re passionate about playing the game or simply enjoy being part of the atmosphere, we make sure every member feels involved. Off the pitch, our socials are just as important. We make sure they’re inclusive for everyone—whether you choose to stay sober or not—by creating fun, welcoming events that bring us together in a safe and supportive way.
Check out our instagram pages: @ uearugbywomens AND @ ueavalkyries
TRAINING TIMES
Monday: 5:00pm - 7:00pm - SportsPark (middle of the track)
Tuesday: Team strength and conditioning - SportsPark (functional suite) - 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Friday: 7:00am - 9:00am SportsPark (Scholars/ invitational Session - sports hall) AND 6:30pm- 8:00pm SportsPark (middle of the track)
Training takes place at SportsPark Athletics Track
We will meet in the SportsPark reception 10 minutes before training to walk to our allocated area :)
LEAGUES
Our BUCS team play matches regularly on a Wednesday and are in Midlands Tier 1. Their games are both at home and away.
Our UEA Valkyries team play regularly on a Sunday and have just been promoted to NC2.
MEET THE COMMITTEE
President – Ori Vajner
Hey! I’m Ori, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be your President for the upcoming season.
Being part of this team is more than just playing a sport – it’s brought lifelong friends, unforgettable memories, and a real sense of community. When I’m not having a boogie in the LCR (or on the pitch), you’ll probably find me with my four-legged sidekick – we go everywhere together. Whether he’s cheering from the sidelines, making surprise appearances at the bar, or chasing birds across the field, he’s as much a part of the team as I am. We’re looking forward to an amazing season ahead – and getting to know all of you along the way! 🐕
Degree: MA in Professional Practice in Sport⛹️♀️
Years Playing: 3
Rugby crush: Beauden Barrett
Favourite memory: First Derby Day at UEA!
Vice President – Sharnti O'Connor
HELLURRRRRRR, I’m Sharnti and I’m soooooo excited to be working along side Ori to be your Vice pres this year😝😝😝 I can’t wait to make so many more memories with this amazing group of girls on and off the pitch, and continue to push our club to be the best it can be. I can’t wait to see you all in September!💙💛
Degree: 2nd year Physical Education, Sport and Health⛹️♀️
Years Playing: 3
Rugby Crush: Louis Rees-Zammit
Favourite memory : Beating Worcester away on my birthday and the bus ride home after🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂
Treasurer – Milli Carew
Hi, I’m Milli & I’m delighted to be your treasurer for the year!!!! Joining this team has already made my uni experience so enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to making even more memories this year. If there are any queries regarding the financial aspect of rugby, please feel free to ask me!
Degree: 2nd Year Accounting & Finance🏦
Years Playing: 1
Pre match song: Mimosa 2000
Favourite memory : Bournemouth 7s
BUCS 1XV Captain – Emily Rigby
HALLLOOO, I’m Rigby, your first team BUCS Captain for the 26/27 season here at UEAWRC🌟. I am beyond delighted to be leading the team on and off the pitch through the season ahead, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us as a team. Rugby has always been a huge passion of mine. Since playing, it has shaped me into the person and the player I can call myself today. It has taught me many lessons, and continues to push me beyond my boundaries. I am grateful to be apart of this team. A team I can call family💙💛
Degree: 3rd year Physical Education, Sport and Health⛹️♀️
Years Playing: 11
Pre match meal : Pre Match Meal: PORRIDGE & lucozade👹👹
Favourite memory: My fav memory was every single game in first year, and just hella kareoke on the away buses 💖💖💖
Vice Captain & Sustainability Officer - Anya Hughes
Hi, I’m Anya and I’m your vice captain and sustainability officer for this season! I’m very excited for this year after all the hard work and improvement we’ve had from the team in the last season. I love being part of this team that makes me feel so comfortable in who I am, no matter how ‘unique’ that is. please don’t hesitate to come to me if you need anything or have any questions!
Degree: 3rd Year Creative Writing and English Literature📝
Years Playing: 6
Pre match song: SUPERMAN by South Arcade
Why did I start rugby? : A girl who played for the local team at my school told me during the sports club that I should try it out, and I loved it immediately!!
Publicity Secretary – Lyndsey Engelbrecht
Heyyy! I’m Lyndsey your Co Pub-Sec for the 26/27 season!
I’ve only been playing rugby for a year, but it has completely changed my uni experience in the best way, and I honestly can’t imagine the rest of my time at uni without it. Joining UEAWRC has given me so much more than just rugby it’s given me confidence, friendships, memories and the most amazing group of girls.
This season I’m so excited to help show through our social media just how special this club is. 💙💙💙🌟🌟🌟
Degree: 3rd year Speech and Language Therapy🗣️
Years Playing: 1
Rugby Crush: Jorja Miller
Why did I join?: I joined rugby because my best friend encouraged me to get back into it. She’s now the captain of our team, and if it wasn’t for her, I would never have discovered such an incredible group of girls who just want to have fun and play some rugby.
Publicity Secretary – Mika Charway
Hiii I’m Mika and I’m your co-pub sec, I’m so excited this year to help promote and show you through social media how great and fulfilling women’s rugby can be and mostly how much of a great time you will have!!!
Degree: 2nd year Pharmacology and Drug Discovery💊
Years Playing: 1
Pre match meal: Anything Beige (#carbloading 😛) and 2 redbulls
Favourite memory: Playing in Woodbridge in torrential rain and WINNING!!!!
Social Secretary – Hayley Clements-Baker
Hi I’m Hayley and i’m so excited to be Social sec with Issy this year and make socials BIGGER and BETTER than ever. One thing about me and Issy is we will have the highest attendance at sports night regardless of our placement schedules!
Degree: 2nd year Midwifery👶
Years Playing: 5
Rugby Crush: Meg Jones
Favourite memory: Anya’s try against Birmingham away!
Social Secretary – Issy Smythe
HELLOOO I’m Issy and I am one of your social secs this year :) I am so excited to be working alongside Hayley to create some unreal socials. I can’t wait for you to see what we have in store!!!!!! xoxo
Degree: 1st year Adult Nursing🏥
Years Playing: 1 year being a wag
Rugby crush: Henry Pollock
Favourite memory: DERBY DAY!
Welfare, Equality + Diversity Officer – Mollie Schofield
Heeey, I’m Mollie, and I’m so excited to be your Welfare Officer this year! Rugby was the highlight of my first year, and I love being part of this incredible group of gals. Whilst I sadly can't compete this season (#conked) I’ll be the loudest one on the sidelines and a friendly face whenever you need one. Any questions, worries, or bits of random life chaos, I’m always here to help. Can’t wait to see everyone smash it on and off the pitch this year.
Degree: 2nd year Physical Activity and Health⛹️♀️
Years Playing: 5
Rugby Idol: Vicky Fleetwood
Pre-match meal: Heinously big bowl of porridge
Favourite memory: Marks singing
Community & Outreach Officer - Debbie Kerrison
Hey I’m Debbie and I’m probably one of the most injury prone players with more broken bones than games played. I’m excited to take on this role and make the most of my final year at UEA. This team has given me so much over the years and I’m so excited to give a little something back.
Degree: 4th year Pharmacy💊
Years Playing: 2
Rugby Crush: Louis Rees-Zammit
Favourite memory: First ever BUCS milkshake
First Year Rep -
WE CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU!
The Real Cost of Sport
The 'Real Cost of Sport' initiative, a project reviewed and rebranded by the Students' Union in partnership with uea+sport, aims to provide prospective members with a comprehensive overview of the potential costs of joining their chosen sports club. This year, I have worked closely with the clubs to ensure these tables are as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
This guide is intended to serve as a general reference. The compulsory cost includes the uea+sport membership fee of £60, which is a one-time payment that covers membership across all clubs.
When considering additional expenses, it is important to note that some clubs may not have any extra costs, while others might incur additional fees. These costs often depend on the level of competitiveness within the sport; recreational or social participation is generally less expensive. Additionally, some equipment, such as shoes or gum shields, may be used across multiple sports, potentially reducing overall expenses.
For any specific questions or further information about a particular club, please contact the club directly or contact us at union.opportunities@uea.ac.uk for more details about the project.
All the best,
Olivia Hunt
Your Activities & Opportunities Officer 24-26