Kate Marks (Murray Edwards) has been selected as one of a small group of ambassadors aged 18-21 from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, to travel to New Zealand as part of the British and Irish Lions Tour this year.
The delegation hopes to develop an extensive understanding of the challenges currently facing youth rugby globally and to establish a network with counterparts overseas. These findings will then be brought back to share within grassroots rugby development across the Home Nations.
The chance to participate in this opportunity comes from Kate's longstanding and extensive involvement within England Rugby as Chairman of the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) National Youth Council, which is part of the U19 Commission assessing the current rugby landscape in England.
The Council has focussed on a variety of projects and issues across the game, including:
1. The retention and recruitment of young volunteers and players across the game
2. Leadership of the Young Rugby Ambassador Programme
3. Acting as ambassadors for the sport though both internal and external advocacy with the RFU
4. Consulting and advising across the RFU on programmes and projects which affect young people in the game.
Following an impressive debut season at CURUFC, which culminated in starting the 2017 Varsity Match at fly half, Kate looks forward to taking on the role of Vice Captain for the 2017/18 season.