It’s a pleasant spring morning as my phone rings. The voice at the other end tells me it’s much the same where they are. With a bank holiday weekend approaching, and having just finished a coaching session with the under 9s at her local club, you can hear the grin on Courtney Keight’s face. Clearly, she’s enjoying her life right now.
With Wales due to kick off their Six Nations campaign at the Principality Stadium, head coach Sean Lynn settled into his role after a year, and a raft of new coaches joining him for the tournament, it seems like a good time to be part of the Wales Women setup.
“It’s really positive in camp right now” Keight confirms. “Everyone is buzzing and we can’t wait to run out at the Principality next weekend”. Wales host Scotland on the opening weekend of this year’s tournament. It’s probably the most exciting matchup of the weekend and a great opportunity for the Welsh team to put on a performance under the spotlight in their national stadium!
For Keight it’s been a season of new experiences as, after spending five seasons with Bristol Bears Women, she made the move north to join Sale Sharks for the start of the current PWR season. “It felt like the right time.” She says of the move. “I loved my time in Bristol and it was a great team to be part of, but I wanted to challenge myself in a new environment”. Given Sale’s marked improvements this season and the struggles the Bears have faced on the field it seems like a wise choice, and if it’s re-energised Courtney then all the better for Wales to have a player who seems to play best with a smile on her face come into camp grinning from ear to ear.
Sharks find themselves firmly in the mix for the fourth and final playoff spot, wrestling with Trailfinders and Harlequins for a shot at the title. “When I agreed to sign in Sale they told me all about their plans” Keight says, “but we’re probably a little ahead of where we expected to be this season. That’s testament to the way the team are pulling together and the world-class environment the club have built”.
It will be a return to her old stomping ground in round three though, as England play hosts at Ashton Gate. Given the proximity to Wales there should be plenty of Welsh voices in the crowd. “It will be lovely to be back at Ashton Gate – and to take on England!” she says emphatically.
For now though, Courtney can focus on the field in front of her, and the pack of girls dreaming of one day pulling on the red shirt that she takes pride in wearing. “It’s brilliant to be able to give something back to your local community” she tells me, the joy evident in her voice. “It’s a nice break from the pace of camp and it’s a great way to remind yourself what this game means to people.”
She’s there today thanks to a sponsorship deal with Canterbury. The New Zealand based kit company broke new ground previously by offering free boots to players at all nine PWR clubs, and last month they announced they are following this up by partnering with the Welsh Rugby Union to supply boots for the under 18s, under 20s and senior women’s teams.
“It’s massive for us!” Keight offers up when I ask about it. “In a game where so many players are still working alongside their career, or are studying at university, it means one less thing to worry about and more time we can just focus on rugby.”
“I’ve been using the scheme since it was introduced and it makes a big difference” she adds. So I can’t help asking on last question… which are her boots of choice? “The Speed Falcon Elite. In white. I love a white rugby boot! I wear mouldies, not hybrids, which some of the girls tease me about through the cold and wet winter months.”
It’s not winter anymore, so look out for those pristine white boots streaking down the wing, and for the smile on the face of their wearer as she’s back at home, representing her country!
