Catherine Spencer (rugby union)

Catherine Spencer
Date of birth (1979-05-25) May 25, 1979 (age 45)
Place of birthAshford, Kent
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in)
Weight90 kg (200 lb; 14 st 2 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) No. 8
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1994–2006
2006–2008
2008
2009–2011
20xx–20xx
2011–2016		 Folkestones
Worcester Valkyries
Bath
Bristol Ladies
Cardiff University
Aylesford Bulls Ladies		 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004–2011  England 63 90

Catherine Spencer (born 25 May 1979) is a former English female rugby union player. She was selected as captain in 2007.[1] She captained England at the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup and was also a member of the squad to the 2006 World Cup.

Spencer retired from international rugby in 2011.[2][3][4] Spencer scored 18 tries for England, played in 8 six nations 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11 won 6 as well as 5 grand slams. Her awards have included England Player of the Year in 2006, the Rugby Union Writers Club Award in 2010, and the Linda Uttley Award in 2011.[5]

Spencer played for Worcester, Bristol and Aylesford Bulls Ladies and has now completely retired from playing rugby.

Spencer ran her own successful women's speaker agency Inspiring women[6] until the global pandemic put a stop to in person speaking events. Because of the pandemic, she made the decision to become a teacher and now teaches at a school not far from where she grew up.

Spencer was awarded an honorary doctorate[7][8][9] from Canterbury Christ Church University in September 2018 for significantly raising the profile of women's rugby through her leadership and continuing to inspire girls and women.

In 2022, Spencer commentated on matches for ITV for the 2021 Rugby World Cup.

  1. ^ Katy Guest (The Independent) (7 February 2010). "Catherine Spencer: England's captain, and a fine role model". Independent.co.uk. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  2. ^ Alex Bergin (The Rugby Business Network) (21 April 2014). "Interview with Ex-England Women's Rugby Captain turned entrepreneur, Catherine Spencer". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2014. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ Beatrice Asprey (Rugby World) (10 January 2011). "Catherine Spencer steps down as England Women's captain". Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  4. ^ BBC Sport (21 March 2011). "England's Catherine Spencer calls time on rugby career". Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Catherine Spencer". globalaccountingnetwork.net. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  6. ^ "Home". inspiringwomen.co.uk.
  7. ^ "FIGURES FROM SPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, POLICING AND MEDICINE RECEIVE HONORARY AWARDS". Archived from the original on 2018-09-10.
  8. ^ Carney, Paul [@PaulCarney40] (11 September 2018). "@CathSpence8 And a quick photo... oh and watch out for @BBCSouthNews tonight! https://t.co/QGYO1JvoEg" (Tweet). Retrieved 31 December 2020 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Carney, Paul [@PaulCarney40] (11 September 2018). "Looking forward to delivering the oration for this inspiring woman as she receives an honorary degree today @CCCUSport @CathSpence8 #CCCUGraduation https://t.co/UI5M2MM7tF" (Tweet). Retrieved 31 December 2020 – via Twitter.