Every member of the Leicester Tigers women’s squad has come a long way since the formation of the team just a few months ago, but none travels further than back-row Kat Turner.
A newly-qualified midwife, Turner drives from Grimsby for training in midweek and then joins up with the squad again on matchdays, playing in all three rounds of the Women’s Championship North 1 campaign so far.
There is a simple answer for that kind of commitment when asked why: “It’s Leicester Tigers!”
Having previously played club and county representative rugby in Yorkshire, Turner adds: “One of my team-mates said there were open trials at Tigers and was going to go. I did that and I got pulled in first as a dual trainer with Leicester and Lichfield. Then I played in the pre-season game against London Irish and it’s gone from there really.
“I work shifts so it’s all about time management really, a bit of understanding at the hospital side, and some help with a car from my mum!
“In that first game, the coaches just said, ‘Do what you're good at’ so I concentrated on tackle and carry. I got into the game from there.”
That was less than two months ago, but Tigers have since won three on the bounce in their debut league season.
“It has opened my eyes to a new level playing here and also where I can fit in," Turner says.
“I’ve come in knowing nobody really but everyone is very chilled and helpful. There’s no one voice above everybody else, we all listen to each other and it’s been like a family. It is competitive – it’s very competitive in the back row – but everyone is supportive as well.”
