I joined Newark last season, and it's felt like home from the beginning. It's always a privilege to be named as Captain, especially when your teammates give you their endorsement.

2. What first got you into rugby, and how did your journey lead you to Newark?

It was a simple as being stopped at the fresher fair when I was at university and asked if I wanted to try Women's Rugby, I never looked back. I've been playing Rugby for 14 years so my journey in Women's Rugby terms has been relatively long. I played more competitively in my university days, in what was Premiership BUCS back then, Championship 1 at Club level and for Northumberland County. My move to Nottinghamshire back in 2015 had me starting at Mellish and moving onto West Bridgford so I could go back to playing in the Championship. Both clubs brought me friends for life, but after 7 seasons with West Bridgford and moving house to Newark a few seasons prior I was ready for a change. Newark Women's promotion to NC2 was a big deciding factor on timing, meaning I wasn't stepping back too much in terms of league. However, they were still a relatively newly formed team where my experience of running the Women's NLD county programme, and various clubs might be of value to Newark. It was about making that shift from playing competitively to playing to give back, as well as giving my time.

3. What are your main ambitions for the team this season — on and off the pitch?

The core aim is to create an environment and team that people want to be part of, where they feel like they can add value in that vision. Some of that will be the off the pitch, fostering those relationships among players. Rugby is such a physical sport where people put their bodies on the line, you aren’t going to do that for people you don't care about. This will naturally feed into how the Women play on the pitch. Pre-season is well underway, and the players exceed my expectations every session. I really want to aim to cement our place in the middle of the league. Overall, I'm really excited to see what the season holds for us.

4. What kind of captain do you want to be, and who’s influenced your leadership style?

Leadership is my day job, so corralling the team feels like a break from leading 250+ people. What I do for work and how I lead my people has certainly influenced my leadership style over the years both on and off the pitch. I want to be the kind of Captain that prides themself in knowing their players. Everyone is different and will need me to adjust my style to suit their needs, so that I can get the best out of them. Leadership isn’t just about what you say, it’s also about what you do. Demonstrating that work ethic, that never giving up attitude, putting your body on the line in every game. All I ask in return is the players give me their best, and that will be different for every player based on their experience.

5. What’s the biggest challenge facing the squad this year, and how do you plan to tackle it?

Last season was hard for the team, moving up to NC2, coming up against some strong teams. The women showed real resilience last season, they never gave up even when the game was lost. However, there were moments where heads would drop and that belief that they know how to play good rugby was sometimes lost. I need to build that confidence in the team, and with players on an individual level. Ensure they know that they can do it, they can make that tackle, they can break that line, they do know how to read the game. If we can overcome our own self-doubt, I think the sky is the limit to what the team can achieve.

6. What’s your favourite position to play and why?

Over the years I've played every position, except front row. It always comes back to playing number 8, it's been my primary position for the last 13 years. It gives me a bit of everything, in the action with the forwards, hard carries into contact. I love an 8 pick and go at the back of a scrum, even when the backs are screaming for it - I’m not even sorry because I'm an 8! It has that connection to the backs, a little show and go, or dropping into the backline when I'm being lazy... it's certainly my comfort zone.

7. Who’s the joker in the squad, and who should we watch out for as a rising star this season?

I would say me and Row but now I'm Captain she can have sole ownership of that title. She's always got something to say! Rising star is hard because we have so many young players that have come through the girls’ section, there are a lot to keep an eye on. I am going to be bias and say my Vice Captain Iona Bedford though. I think her stepping into a leadership role this season could be the making of her. She's always been a strong player, but I think this extra responsibility will add another dimension to her as a player, even if she thinks I'm 20 years older than I am!!

8. What’s one thing you want every new player to know about the club culture?

Newark is more than just a club it's a community. My closest friends are from playing rugby, there is something about playing rugby that builds lasting bonds. So, if you want to try a new sport, and that's rugby, know that you'll almost instantly have at least 30 new friends.

9. Pre-match ritual or superstition — do you have one?

Don't have one, the closet I have is I have to wear socks under my rugby socks. Other than that, I like a relatively chilled pre-match ritual so don't be slapping my back to get me pumped, I prefer a laugh and a joke.

10. Away from rugby, what do you get up to — and what’s a fun fact most people at the club don’t know about you

I am known for being very busy. I love to travel and experience new places. Now I’ve been to every continent I’m working my way through every country in Europe. I'm also pretty practical, love making things so lots of DIY and crafts. Fun fact that people don't know about me... I used to play the trumpet. Spent about 10 years competing, played in Europe a few times, went to Dartmouth Naval Collage to play. Not something I tell people as I haven’t really played since I was 18.

Thank you Sarah, we wish you and your team every success this season, we are all behind you.