Ashton Adcock: A Rising Star
International scrum half, Ashton Adcock sharing her experiences through her rise to international success.
Ashton Adcock is a 19 year old rugby prodigy appearing for Loughborough Lightning in the Premiership Women’s Rugby campaign. Ashton is the first woman to get selected and play for England under 18s and under 20s in the same Six Nations season. Ashton has also featured for Great Britain sevens in both the HSBC Cape Town and Dubai sevens series.
Ashton Adcock scoring for Loughborough in the BUCS Super Rugby Final CREDIT:1880.photography
Ashton Adcock scoring for Loughborough in the BUCS Super Rugby Final CREDIT:1880.photography
Q: What kickstarted your love for rugby?
A: “So, in primary school we were doing tag rugby, and I just enjoyed the sport from that. So then, I took it on probably when I was 14, so end of year nine, I decided to join a rugby team. And then, the contact element, I just absolutely loved. So that's, like, what I started off. I started off with centre, so I loved the contact and then got moved to nine, then I wanted to quit. But I stayed at nine.”
Q: What was your experience going through the academy process?
A: “I’ve always had like a positive experience for academy. So, I got through Academy, County put me forward.
And then I got put forward for Loughborough CofE (Centre of Excelence) for first year. Really positive. That was when they were picking if I was going to be a 9 or 10 and then, England said stick with me playing nine, so it was quite fun in the fact that I could have, but I could have gone both ways.
Like, it was quite exciting in that point. And then second year it got changed to PDG (Player Development Group), which was more fun, but I was injured because I did my shoulder, so I kind of missed that I only did two games for PDG.”
Q: At what point did you realise you were going to make it to top flight rugby?
A: “Probably the GB call up. 'Cause that was, like, international cap if that makes sense. That was probably when, like, I realised, oh, like, damn.
And then, also, when I got called up a year early with (England Under) 20s as well, I thought this is quite cool.”
Q: What does it mean to you to be the first woman selected for England u18s and u20s in the same season?
A: “It felt like a dream. Like, I originally I just thought I was just there for training numbers. And then when I had the chance to do Scotland, it was just like really shocked, like, gobsmacked that I got selected and started as well.
It just felt unreal, really. Like, it was a surreal experience.”
Ashton Adcock with England U18s CREDIT: England Rugby
Ashton Adcock with England U18s CREDIT: England Rugby
Q: What emotional impact has sport had on you?
A: “It's made me more resilient. I don't know if I' describe it, but this is a bit deep, because my dad had cancer and it made me want it more, like, show him what I can do.
So, it's more the fact, like emotionally wise it's a want, like it's a challenge for me, like, what's the best I can achieve for it?”
Q: What goals do you have for the future?
To get a prem debut and then red roses debut as well - they're my goals.
Ashton Adcock playing for Great Britain CREDIT: GB Svns
Ashton Adcock playing for Great Britain CREDIT: GB Svns
Ashton Adcock in England U18s camp CREDIT: England Rugby
Ashton Adcock in England U18s camp CREDIT: England Rugby
Ashton Adcock playing for Loughborough in the BUCS Super Rugby Final CREDIT:1880.photography
Ashton Adcock playing for Loughborough in the BUCS Super Rugby Final CREDIT:1880.photography
Q: What advice would you give to a young girl who wants to follow in your footsteps?
A: “I say, play around with positions first, because like, no matter how big, small, tall, short you are, there's always position, everywhere for you.
I just say just go for it do anything. Try stuff, during like the time you can during sessions and stuff. Just have fun with it.
Don't take it too seriously at the start.”
This interview has been edited for clarity and condensed
