GO GOLD Athlete of the Week: Phoebe Andrews

In the first Athlete of the Week this month, Phoebe Andrews has opened up about challenges and her love of rugby.

The Rutland based athlete gave an insight into her life, from battles to being stuck in a lift with James Haskell!

1. What is your favourite thing about your sport?

My favourite thing about rugby is the ability to follow a set game plan but still play freely within it. I like how physical rugby can be when you really want to win a game and enjoy tackling. Rugby gives me the chance to play sport to the best of my ability.

2. Tell us one thing we don't know about you?

I moved to Rutland in 2014 from Hertfordshire, before that I spend most weekends riding my horse Dougal instead of playing rugby.

3. If you were stuck in a lift for a day with three people, who would you want them to be?

• James Haskell, Wasps and England Flanker
• Heath Ledger as the Joker from Batman
• Matthew Gray Gubler, who plays Dr Spencer Reed in Criminal Minds

4. If you could go back in time, what year would you go to and why?

1619 to try to stop slavery, and convince people that everyone is equal.

5. What has been your biggest challenge?

I suffer with anxiety and trying to battle mental health issues has been tough. It can sometimes stop me from doing the things I love.

https://therpa.co.uk/lifttheweight/

6. Do you have anything else that you'd like us to know?

Last week I met Vicky Fleetwood, England Hooker when I went to Twickenham Stoop to watch the Red Roses play against Italy in the 6 nations. She is a real inspiration to young players like me, especially as she is a hooker like me and she scored a hatrick this week.

Keep up to date with Phoebe's blog here - http://www.lrsport.org/profiles/phoebe-andrews.