Amy Cokayne

England international rugby union player
Rugby player
1.67 m (5 ft 5+1⁄2 in)Weight82 kg (181 lb; 12 st 13 lb)Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Current team Leicester Tigers Women
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2017 Lichfield ()
2017–2019 Wasps 22 (45)
2019– Harlequins 24 (65)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2016 England U20s
2015– England 73 (165)

Flight Lieutenant Amy Victoria Fiona Cokayne[1] (born 11 July 1996) is an English rugby union player. She made her international debut for England in 2015 against Italy. She was named in the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup squad for England.[2][3][4]

International career

Though her family moved to New Zealand when she was nine, Cokayne made the choice to train for England after being called up to the New Zealand Women's Rugby Team (known as the Black Ferns) training camp; she moved back to England in 2013. [5]

The following year she was selected for the England Under 20s team, and made her first appearance for the seniors England Women's Rugby Team in 2015. She scored her first senior try for the side against Canada in the 2015 Super Series.[6]

Cokayne went on to play in every game in the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup and was named the second highest try-scorer in the 2017 Women's Six Nations Championship.

In 2019 she was awarded a full time contract with the England team. She missed some games that year, including the 2019 Super Series, as she completed her RAF training.[7] She was named in the England squad for the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand in October and November 2022.[8]

Club career

After returning to England, Cokayne joined Lichfield Ladies in 2014. In 2017 she moved to Wasps, before joining Harlequins Women in 2019.[9][10]

Early life and education

Born in Ipswich, Cokayne first played rugby at age six, at Cleve Rugby Club in Bristol. She also played football as goal keeper for Aston Villa Under 10s. Cokayne's father was a big Aston Villa fan: her initials spell out AVFC.[11]

She was nine when her family migrated to New Zealand in 2006 because her father joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force. She attended Feilding High School and captained the girls rugby team in 2012, winning 53 consecutive matches.[12]

Cokayne studied for a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Science at Loughborough college.[13]

In December 2018, Cokayne graduated as a pilot officer in the RAF. She went on to train for the RAF Police.[14]

References

  1. ^ Tomas, Fiona (2022-10-13). "How Amy Cokayne – the England hooker named after Aston Villa – slipped out of New Zealand's grasp". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  2. ^ "England announce squad for 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup". England Rugby.com. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
  3. ^ Mockford, Sarah (2017-06-29). "England name their squad for their Women's Rugby World Cup defence". Rugby World. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
  4. ^ "England announce squad for 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup". ITV News. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
  5. ^ "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  6. ^ "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  7. ^ "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  8. ^ "Rugby World Cup: Sadia Kabeya and Morwenna Talling in England squad". BBC Sport.
  9. ^ "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  10. ^ "Amy Cokayne". www.ultimaterugby.com. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  11. ^ "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  12. ^ "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  13. ^ "Loughborough College and England Rugby's Amy Cokayne named Young Player of the Year". Loughborough College. 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  14. ^ "Women's Six Nations: Amy Cokayne balances military career with rugby". Rugby World. 2019-03-07. Retrieved 2021-04-30.

External links

  • RFU Player Profile