We have officially launched our new rugby partnership with Alex Lewington. Alex has had a very successful career as a Saracens player where he won 2 premiership titles, 1 championship title, along with a champion’s cup title. However, he has recently announced his retirement from professional rugby at the end of the 2023-24 season. Our exclusive rugby school tours, in partnership with Alex, provide unforgettable memories for students. Highlights include: a pre-trip meet-up with Alex, including a Q&A session and training tips for the team, as well as a training programme curated by Alex. You’ll also get to meet with a professional rugby player, based in the destination, on your trip.
Where did your passion for rugby come from?
My passion for rugby came from my friends during my time in secondary school. At the time, I was more of a footballer, but rugby was the main sport within my school and all my friends were playing rugby, so I started rugby to spend more time with them. Then, as time went on, rugby as a sport started growing on me more and I started to enjoy it over football. I started playing for my school’s team and we’d play every Saturday and from that, it went from there. So, I suppose it all came down to me being influenced by my friends and wanting to spend more time with them. And because of the rugby schedule, I definitely got to see them more often.
How did your school support your passion?
Initially, my school was super supportive and encouraging of us playing as often as we could. In my earlier years, we would have two rugby training sessions a week with school and a game on the weekend. We had rugby as our winter sport, so we played from September until February, and then went on to play Sevens after that – and that’s where the opportunities started to come in. Later down the line, once my rugby improved, I started getting obligations to go and play for academies or county teams and I found my school was always really supportive. My school understood the importance of balancing school work with extracurricular activities like rugby. Teachers provided flexibility with scheduling, offering academic support when I needed it, and emphasised the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between schoolwork and sports. During my school years, we were also given the opportunity to go on rugby school tours. These tours allowed us to explore our passions outside of the UK, and really get a feel for team building within the sport.
What are your main highlights from your career so far?
It has to be winning trophies. Since I joined the Saracens, we were lucky enough to win the premiership a couple of times, as well as winning the European Cup during my first year – which was a massive highlight. But aside from that, mainly my highlights come from not just necessarily big games, but the smaller moments in the season too. When I was at London Irish, we were battling relegation, so the big win at the end was special. Knowing how hard the team and I work – and collectively achieving the goal you’ve all set out for – just puts you on such a high and is something I’ll never forget. Being able to say you are successful with your friends in a sport you love is cool!
Where do you think are some of the best places for school rugby tours to visit?
Going on tours to places that are super passionate about rugby helps to create incredible experiences. From my own personal experience, I’ve been to New Zealand, South Africa and France – they are three big rugby hot spots due to it being their country’s sport. The passion you feel when you are there is like no other – there’s a new level of love for the sport. Hearing people from different cultures talk about the same passion as yourself helps you to form an instant connection to that person.
Are there any highlights from your previous rugby school tours?
When I went to New Zealand with my school, we played five games on that tour and to face five school hackers was awesome. I absolutely loved it – and I’ve never faced a hacker again since, so that is very special. And then around that, there’s all the enriching stuff you get to do in that country: all the outdoor activities, exploring different stadiums, meeting different teams. They’re probably my favourite things I’ll take from that particular tour, to be honest. I’ve gone on to play rugby as a professional, but that time with my school friends is a really special memory that we share together.
Did you find your previous rugby tours brought your team closer together?
I think that off the back of the New Zealand tour I went on with my school, we have so many memories that we still look back on and laugh about. An old picture will pop up and I’ll send it to my teammates, and it’s incredible to think that we still have connections from that tour that are still so strong today. The bond you get with your teammates on rugby tours is just so unbelievably special. It forces you to spend more time with each other, and the more time you spend with your team, the closer you get.
What have you learned about teamwork from your rugby school tours?
I think in terms of teamwork, you become a tighter team both on and off the pitch – and there’s no doubt that the stronger the relationships off the field, the better you will be in the game. My rugby tours taught me that teamwork is not just about individual talent, but about how well we can come together, support each other, and work towards a common goal as a team.
Have you had any setbacks in your rugby career? If so, how did your team help you overcome this?
When I was touring in South Africa, I injured my ACL during the first game of the tour. I was the only player from my club on that tour, so all the guys were like strangers to me – but the level of support they showed me was unbelievable. It made me feel like they all had my back and genuinely felt sorry for me, but they also quickly turned it into a situation where they made me laugh, which helped me understand what the injury was going to look like for me. I ended up rooming with a lad who I’d never met before – and then suddenly, you’re relying on them for emotional support, which I think shows how close that rugby bond really is.
What advice would you give to aspiring young rugby players?
Go on tour! I think one of the best things about rugby as a sport is there are so many amazing and different cultures that play it, and touring is such a widely accepted thing to do. With there being so many different opportunities to do it, I’d say it’s one of the best things our sport has to offer, so if you get any opportunity to do a rugby school tour, I would highly recommend it.
Explore our exclusive rugby tours in partnership with Alex Lewington. Remember, all of our trips are fully customisable. If you would like to speak to an educational specialist about planning a school trip then enquire now.
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