GO GOLD Athlete in the Spotlight: Phoebe Andrews

Up and coming rugby sensation Phoebe Andrews talks about her passion for sport, favourite holiday destinations and love for horse-riding!

What is your go to pre-training snack?

My go to pre-training snack would have to be a banana.

Explain your ideal weekend

My ideal weekend would be spending time with my family. I have two brothers that play rugby and when I'm home, I like to watch their matches either for their school or for Oakham RFC on Sundays. On Sundays I play for my club, Market Harborough, and enjoy catching up with my friends. I also like watching the premiership rugby games for both men and women! It's great that I can now watch the Terrell's premiership either through England Rugby Facebook or Sky TV.

What would be your dream job if not a professional athlete and why?

My dream job ever since I was little, is to own my own riding yard! I grew up being around my nan, her best friend and their horses.

What is your long-term goal in your sport? How do you plan to achieve this?

My long-term dream is to get at least one cap for the red roses in women's senior rugby. To achieve this, I will need to stay fit by hitting all the fitness targets that have been provided to me by the Talent Development Group. Working with a strength and conditioning coach will play a big part in helping me to ensure my body is fit and healthy to be able to play games and recover from the physicality of rugby matches. As a team sport player it is important that I make sure I am available to attend at team training, such as on pitch session alongside working one to one's with coaches, and continue to set new personal goals.

What is your favourite 'cheat meal' when not following your training diet?

My favourite cheat meal would have to be a take away pizza with my family.

Have you got any phobias? Or pet peeves?

I have a phobia of bare feet; summer is the worst time of the year as lots of people have flop flops on!!!

If you were to win the lottery, what would you spend the money on?

I would give some money to my parents as they have provided for me in my sport with new boots, kit, the time and money taking all around the country for training and matches. I would then use some of my winnings to buy a house in another country so then I would always have a holiday, somewhere to relax and take my mind off work.

What is your favourite holiday destination and why?

My favourite holiday destination is Spain as I have been going to the country ever since I was little with my family, Nan and grandad. It means a lot to me as I have a lot of memories there.

Do you have any non-sport related talents? Or any talents you would like to improve?

I have been teaching myself to learn to play the guitar, which I find really relaxing when I am not training or studying for my A-Levels.

If you could play any other sport, what would it be and why?

If I could play any another sport it would be horse riding as I had to give up riding to focus on my rugby. I also love the feeling of being able to trust a horse to care for you when you are out of the yard and on a hack. I particularly enjoy dressage and enjoy being able to go to Greenwich to the London 2012 Paralympics Dressage event.

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your 18/15/12-year-old self?

I would tell my 12-year-old self that I should listen to all my parent's rugby friends that were trying to get me to play rugby. I could have started playing sooner!

I would tell my 15-year-old self not to get so worried about what people think of you and focus on the important things.

I would tell my 18 old to keep working hard even when you think it is too tough to push through it.

What major tournaments have you taken part in/ will be taking part in in the last / next 3 months? Tell us about it! (vlog / blog)

At the end of the season my college team became the National Girls AASE Champions as well as taking the Gold Medal at the Association of Colleges Sport National Championships. At the HSBC London Sevens held at Twickenham in May, we played an exhibition match in front of a crowd of thousands before the finals. It was an amazing day as we got to meet Maggie Alphonsi and David Flatman as well as playing on the pitch at Twickenham, the home of English Rugby.

Who is your role model and why?

My role model would have to be Vicky Fleetwood as she has played in the both senior women's rugby 15s and 7s. I also followed her through an ankle injury, she worked so hard in the gym to get back on the pitch. I went to watch her play in the six nations just after she recovered from that injury and she came on as a finisher a scored a hat trick.