Young Guns – Joy Okechukwu

Joy Okechukwu only began playing rugby three years ago but has already shown enough progress with Harlequins for her to be called up to the England U18 squad.

The back row forward has swiftly risen through the ranks, and central to her development has been the guidance of former England international Rachael Burford, whose influence has helped shape the 18-year-old’s understanding of the game and transition into a demanding role.

Okechukwu’s introduction to rugby came relatively late compared to many of her peers. A chance invitation from a friend to participate in an inter-school’s tournament sparked her interest. Encouraged by her secondary school coach, she began playing in Year 11 and quickly attracted the attention of her local club, Havant RFC. The inclusive and supportive environment at Havant proved crucial in easing her transition into the sport.

She told The Rugby Paper: “The club is very welcoming; there’s always someone to turn to if you have questions, and mistakes are met with encouragement. It’s just an uplifting environment. I’m so happy that it’s my first and only club. At every stage of the England pathway, there’s something new to learn. There’s always a helping hand, but you have to take the initiative to go out of your way and improve yourself.”

Okechukwu’s sporting background is varied, with experience in football, hockey, swimming, and dance providing a strong athletic foundation. While the fundamentals of rugby came naturally, tyro forward Okechukwu acknowledges the challenges presented by the game’s technical aspects, especially after transitioning from centre to wing and then flanker.

She added: “The baseline of the sport was fairly easy to pick up, but the rules and technical elements required more focus. I’ve done sports all my life, so I was eager to try something new. Transitioning to back row has been fun. I love getting into the action, the breakdowns, the tackles — it’s a different challenge, but I really enjoy it.”

The mentorship offered by Burford, acting as Okechukwu’s Performance Development Group coach, has been instrumental, with the ex-England international’s experience as an elite back row player providing invaluable insight and inspiration.

“Having such an influential figure coaching us every day is incredibly helpful,” said Okechukwu. “The PDG programme feels much more inclusive now and packed with talent. Even after two years, I’m still learning something new every day. I’d definitely say that I want to add more tools into my toolbox. And that’s one of the other things that PDG helps me with. I know it’s not very obvious or common for a back row to be able to kick, but just having those little things in my toolbox, like being able to chip and collect, can make or break some points in a game. I know I can be an even better player.”

Okechukwu’s strengths lie in her pace and spatial awareness – attributes that make her a significant threat in open play. “My college coach often says that when I’m given time and space, it’s a 90 per cent guarantee that I’ll make it to the try line,” said Okechukwu. “Speed and dominance at the breakdown are key parts of my game.”

She added: “Education comes first. I’m planning to go to university and continue playing rugby. If the rugby follows, that’s great. If not, I’ll find a club and keep playing.”

BEN JAYCOCK