Catherine Spencer (rugby union)

Catherine Spencer (born 25 May 1979) is a former English female rugby union player. She was selected as captain in 2007.[1] She captained England at the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup and was also a member of the squad to the 2006 World Cup.

Catherine Spencer

Date of birth	(1979-05-25) May 25, 1979
Place of birth	Ashford, Kent
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in)
Weight	90 kg (200 lb; 14 st 2 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) No. 8 Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1994–2006 2006–2008 2008 2009–2011 20xx–20xx 2011–2016 Folkestones Worcester Valkyries Bath Bristol Ladies Cardiff University Aylesford Bulls Ladies () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2004–2011  England 63 90

Spencer retired from international rugby in 2011.[2][3][4] Spencer scored 18 tries for England, played in 8 six nations 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11 won 6 as well as 5 grand slams. Her awards have included England Player of the Year in 2006, the Rugby Union Writers Club Award in 2010, and the Linda Uttley Award in 2011.[5]

Spencer played for Worcester, Bristol and Aylesford Bulls Ladies and has now completely retired from playing rugby.

Spencer ran her own successful women's speaker agency Inspiring women<ref."Home". inspiringwomen.co.uk.</ref> until the global pandemic put a stop to in person speaking events. Because of the pandemic, she made the decision to become a teacher and now teachers at a school not far from where she grew up.

Spencer was awarded an honorary doctorate[6][7][8] from Canterbury Christ Church University in September 2018 for significantly raising the profile of women's rugby through her leadership and continuing to inspire girls and women.