Abbie Brown

My family encouraged me to follow a path that would make me happy – I found that this was sport. 

I grew up in the beautiful South West of England, and when I was 6 years old I started playing rugby and haven’t stopped since. Throughout my youth I played many different types of sports competing at regional and international levels in rugby, netball, and basketball. Traditional school structure didn’t fit in with my goals however, I really found myself when it came to sport.

At the age of 16 I moved away from home to Hartpury College in Gloucester, where I chose to focus on rugby and pursue my career at becoming a professional player. Whilst in my final year at college I was selected for a 6 nations campaign where I achieved 5 x 15s international caps. Once I finished college, I was selected to be a part of the England 7s program. 

Through hard work and determination I was lucky enough to be a part of the Rio Olympic Games 2016, an amazing experience and one I will never forget. We finished 4th at Rio, which made me hungrier than ever to keep improving my skills, as a rugby player and within my other interests. At the age of 20, I was given a huge opportunity and was made captain of the England 7s team, with lots to learn and the drive to achieve more, the next rollercoaster journey began.

Since then I have been competing in the World Sevens Series, which happens throughout the year in various (slightly warmer) countries, and competed at a Commonwealth Games and a World Cup. During the pandemic, I have been able to play rugby for Loughborough Lightning, where I’m enjoying playing in the premier 15’s. In the summer of 2020 I went onto co-captain Team GB squad at the Tokyo Olympic Games, where we finished 4th. We are now back with England 7’s with hopes and dreams of competing at a home Commonwealth Games and qualifying for the World Cup at the end of this year.