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Meet Flanker SJ Garside

Meet Flanker SJ Garside

Geraint Lewis2 Jun 2017 - 09:14
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Exclusive interview with the Sirens Player’s Player of the Year, SJ Garside

It has been said that the biggest honour that can be bestowed on a player is to be selected as player of the year. Arguably this award means even more when it is one that is given, not by the coaches but by the other members of the team. For SJ Garside, possibly the best travelled of all the Sirens, that honour was what awaited her at the Redingensians Rams recent annual awards ball.

Having lived in five countries over three continents by the time she had turned eighteen; her father works for the foreign office. SJ found stability in her education when her parents sent her to Bearwood College in Wokingham. Something that proved to be a positive not just for SJ but for the Sirens as well. Contacts that she made while in the local area led SJ to become a match day physio for Redingensians where joining the Sirens was a natural next step.

SJ has been with the Sirens from early on in their formation and was responsible for bringing Dani Watts, the coaches player of the year to Redingensians. Together they have formed a dynamic duo at flanker; where SJ’s combination of athleticism and physicality provided a destructive presence against Bracknell.

Having been awarded the honour of Siren of the year when she won the player’s player award, SJ sat down to talk to us about her life.

What do you do for work?
I work a lot of jobs - I work for David Lloyd as a class instructor, Redingensians as a Sports Therapist and as a free-lance sports massage therapist - all whilst completing a full time master’s programme

You are also studying at the moment? what qualification will you get at the end?
I’m studying a pre Reg MSc in Physiotherapy at The University of Brunel, so I will come out of it with a qualification in Physiotherapy

What sport did you play before rugby?
I played a lot of Netball throughout school and after I graduated from my Undergrad

How did you become involved with Redingensians?
One of my good friends who I work with, Matt Rose, plays for ‘Ensians, and I was looking for a Sports Therapist Position in a Rugby Club and he pointed me in the direction of OBR (Old Bath Road the club’s home ground)

How has rugby impacted upon your life?
Rugby has been amazing for me. I had really missed competing in a team sport, particularly one that I have a lot of passion for in many aspects. It has given me something that I can really gear my training to; and something I can set my sights on improving in. I love being a Siren, all the ladies in the squad are amazing, and I think it’s a very special thing to have come so far with a group of ladies that all started from the same place (never having played before). That is what makes us so special!

What do you like about rugby?
I love the physicality and the structure, but also the chaos. As Seb (Head Coach Seb Reynolds) says - “embrace the chaos” and I think that is what I really enjoy about it! Plus I love the look on people’s faces when you tell them you play rugby!!

What has been your favourite moment as a Siren so far?
My Favourite moment has been the game at Bracknell. It was such an incredible buzz to have been a part of that special day! I cannot wait to step out next season with these ladies!

What are your rugby ambitions?
To be as good as I can be. I am quite hard on myself, as I always expect the best, so I just want to push myself, challenge my skills and fitness to become the best player that I can be!

What would you say to other women who are thinking about playing rugby?
I think if you are considering trying out rugby, I would say just do it! In any capacity! Be it touch, tag or full contact. There is something so special about team sports, and in a sport where teamwork is what makes the game function, being a part of that is amazing! Plus, it gets you out and about, keeps you fit, and introduces you to other amazing women who may be in the same boat as you!

Now that the team has been confirmed in National Challenge 3 South East West for next year which fixture are you most looking forward to?
I cannot wait to play Bracknell again! It was a great game, but now that we will be playing a season, it will be good to start putting into practice all the other skills that we didn’t have to use previously such as Scrummaging and Line-outs. I just cannot wait to start playing!

How did it feel being named player’s player of the year?
I was really shocked actually! I turned to Sara (number 8 Sara Hill) as it was being announced mouthing “I bet it’s you!” But I’m really honoured to be named players player! It means a lot! #SirenSong

SJ Garside was talking to Geraint Lewis.

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