Balancing a full time job with playing international rugby is tough at the best of times but when you’re a dual-code international whilst holding down a full time teacher’s job the workload must be tiring, both physically and mentally.
However, that’s the reality for Wales captain Ffion Lewis who will lead her country out at Parc Eirias on Sunday when Wales take on Ireland, 2.30pm kick off.
“I’m not going to sugar-coat it, it is really hard. They are really long days, I leave for work at 7 every morning, I’m teaching by 9 and most days I don’t get home until 10/11 in the night.
At the end of the day though opportunities like Sunday when I’m captaining my country and when I’m standing there signing the anthem makes what I do worth it. It’s a situation where we haven’t really known any different. We’ve got to make these sacrifices in women’s sport to achieve things like we are.”
Lewis, who currently plays union for Worcester Warriors in the Allianz Premier 15’s, has been called up to the Wales union squad for their three match autumn series where they’ll take on Japan, South Africa and Canada. However it’s her form playing league in the Betfred Super League for the Cardiff Demons which has seen her called into the Wales set-up and subsequently given the captaincy.
“Being honest I’ve had a tough rollercoaster with union in regards to selection. I had a shoulder injury in January and selection didn’t go my way.
An opportunity came up with rugby league in my position, and I was struggling in regards to how much I was enjoying my rugby at that moment in time. I was at a time where I either concentrated a little bit more on my work career or I took the opportunity with league. I put my hand up for it and I haven’t looked back.
It’s something I’m so glad I’ve done. It’s changed my game so much in a positive way and I’ve met so many great people along the way. Our coach Tom Brindle is the greatest coach I’ve ever had and the experiences I’ve had in league have been great for me as a player and as a person.”
Lewis became Wales’ 100th dual-code international when she took to the field in June for Wales’ game against England in Warrington, a prestigious list that has seen the likes of Jonathan Davies, Scott Gibbs and Scott Quinnell all go before her. However, Lewis is a trailblazer in the sense she’s playing league and union at the same time.
“At the beginning it was really difficult switching between league and union. I’ve played union since I was six years old, but league is so tactical.
At the start I just didn’t get league! But as soon as I started learning all of the nitty gritty parts of the game it became okay. In the beginning it was hard but now I’m playing them both at the same time I don’t find the transition hard.”
With Wales being a relatively new team in the women’s rugby league world, having only been formed in 2019, have missed out on the world cup originally scheduled for this autumn but will be looking to make the showpiece event when it rolls around in 2025.
“We just missed out this year which is a massive shame but qualifying for 2025 will now be the goal. The union world cup is next year and I’m hoping I can make that and tick that box before focussing on 2025 with the league team.
I would be speechless if I had the opportunity to captain my team at the world cup, it would be a huge honour. We’ve got to get there first though so fingers crossed we make it and get ourselves a spot”
AWC SPORT 