Sarah Hunter Order of the British Empire: I’m a normal girl in the North East of England

Sarah Hunter planning a beach vacation in Italy It’s meant to handle a pivotal moment in her life, with her latest achievement in the form of the Order of the British Empire this summer.

England’s most capped player, with 141 Test appearances, has been named to the King’s Birthday Honors List for his contributions to rugby union.

Seven months ago, the 37-year-old was coming to terms with the need to leave the sport after losing to New Zealand in the World Cup final.

When the decision was made to retire, the England captain announced his retirement at home and made the decision of his own accord. Six Nations began to enter newcastle March.

As one of the great champions who contributed to the development of women’s rugby, there was a long farewell line, but even after being given the newly created role of transition coach, she remains associated with the Red Roses.

A breathless schedule has so far prevented Hunter from booking a two-week vacation on the continent for the next month, but once it does, it will finally give him some leeway to make sense of recent events.

“I never thought I’d have a career like this for a million years and it would be appreciated like this,” she told PA.

“I’m an ordinary girl from the Tohoku region. England He had a great time playing rugby.

“I didn’t have time to think about everything. After the World Cup it was quite difficult. bottom.

“When I came back, I didn’t want to watch rugby, I didn’t want to be involved in rugby. My club, Loughborough, gave me time and space, not only as a rugby player, but as a person. It was important.

“I was the captain when we lost the World Cup final in 2017, and I learned to be kind to myself. I didn’t want to be anywhere near rugby and that was important to recognize.

“Everything has been hectic, but the last four or five months have been very special and I am so glad I took the time to do it. It felt really right.

“It was a very special place for me and I got to do it with all my friends and family. But for me it’s never about grandeur or scale, it’s about what’s important to me.

“When I came out on the pitch, I knew it was the right moment and I haven’t missed a game since.

“Since then, the opportunity has come and it feels like I’ve been living in a bubble, but I’m sure it will burst soon and the reality of what happened over the past six months will finally hit me.

“After the World Cup, I went from not thinking rugby was a great place for me to being in a great place, knowing what I got out of the game was incredible.

“It’s been a tumultuous six months, but I’m looking forward to sitting on the beach and looking back.”

Hunter made his debut for England in 2007 at the Old Albanians outside St Albans in front of a crowd of less than 200, but recalled that “no one knew it was happening”. do.

Sixteen years later, 10,200 people flocked to Kingston Park to see the No. 8 say goodbye to the game on live terrestrial television. And at the end of the Six Nations, 58,498 turned out to Twickenham to see England win a Grand Slam, setting a world record for women’s rugby attendance.

“As I’ve gotten older, what’s really become special for me is seeing how the game develops,” said Hunter, who hopes to pursue a coaching career that began at Loughborough. rice field.

“What was my main goal in playing?”

“Winning the World Cup and Six Nations titles and the teammates I spent with them along the way will have special memories, but I also want to do my little bit to help take the game to an incredible level. It’s one of the things I want to do.” I’m most proud of.

“As part of a generation of players that have taken the game to another place, it’s special to know that I’ve accomplished that.”