England Women’s Rugby U20 and OA Saints’ Super Star Sarah McKenna has been in action in the Nations Cup in West London over past two weeks, impressively featuring in the starting line up for all 3 of the ‘pool’ games for her country and the final against USA last Saturday.
McKenna started her rugby career aged six at Harpenden RFC and has since played at numerous other local girls' clubs including Scorpions RFC, Fullarians RFC and more recently OA Saints Women’s Team based at Woollams on the Harpenden Road.
Sarah went to Roundwood Park School in Harpenden and excelled in all sports, however most of them fell to the wayside when it came to playing rugby.
Since leaving school, Sarah has spent her time maintaining the high level of fitness expected in order to play for one's country and has been studying too at a local college to become an electrician. At present she is looking for an apprenticeship to enable her to continue on the course.
The last few weeks in the England camp based at Brunel University have been particularly tough, with gruelling training sessions taking place up to four times a day in preparation for the big games ahead of the girls' squad. After exerting themselves on the training pitch the girls are treated to pool recovery and ice baths. Not only is training and recovery tailored to that of an athlete, so too is nutrition and diet. A high carbohydrate and protein rich diet helps the girls maintain elevated energy levels and repair damaged muscles. The girls' nutritionist ensures they never miss an evening without a protein shake or recovery shake after the game.
After winning all the pool games, against Canada, USA and Wales, the girls had to stay seriously focused to ensure complacency didn’t get in the way of a fantastic finals performance.
With the girls keeping their head England ran in a cricket score victory (England 110 USA 0) against the USA, scoring 18 tries, to lift the Nations Cup crown.
Sarah’s 15-minute effort saw her take an intercept ball and run in a perfect try from 10 metres out and in the second half Mckenna added a good individual try to help England on their way to victory.
England Head Coach Giselle Mather said: “I am so proud of the girls and the way they have played throughout this tournament. The players moved the ball around extremely well, they kept the ball alive and delivered everything that was asked of them”.
“It’s wonderful to have won the Nations Cup, and to do it for a second successive year is very special for every member of this Under 20s squad.”
Since leaving the camp Sarah plans to enjoy a restful few days, followed by OA Saints fitness training on Wednesday. No rest for the wicked… or the international U20 England rugby player.