The England men’s rugby union training camp played host to both British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu and Brighton and Hove Albion’s head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, during the current week.
Prior to their match against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, head coach Steve Borthwick revealed that the purpose of the pair’s visit was to engage with his players, providing them with opportunities to learn from shared experiences.
Raducanu etched her name in history as the youngest female player in 17 years to clinch a Grand Slam title with her victory at the 2021 US Open, while Hurzeler, hailing from Germany, holds the distinction of being the youngest permanent manager ever in the Premier League.
Borthwick commented, “We’ve been fortunate to have Fabian Hurzeler, the manager of Brighton, with us. His insights and the experiences he shared with the team this morning were truly exceptional.”
He continued, “Emma Raducanu also visited today. Having elite athletes like her come in to share their experiences, particularly regarding their preparations for high-level international competitions, is an invaluable learning opportunity for our players.”
“We are incredibly grateful for her visit and her contributions. It’s been a highly productive week thus far, thanks to her input and provisions,” Borthwick expressed.
Borthwick believed that Raducanu was in a position to share specific experiences unique to tennis, which he thought might benefit his team, more accustomed to team-based sports.
“I observed that the players engaged in extensive discussions with her, focusing on the contrast between individual preparation and the necessity of ensuring everything is optimal. For a tennis player, being alone on the court, individual preparation is paramount,” Borthwick elaborated.
He added, “For a team sport participant, it’s about finding the right equilibrium, but we must still maximize individual preparation as much as possible.”
In addition to Raducanu and Hurzeler, former England players Chris Ashton, Mako Vunipola, and Danny Care also spent time with the England squad during the week.
“We are fortunate to have opportunities to host individuals like those we had this week, and we view these interactions as valuable learning experiences,” said Borthwick.
“A key aspect of developing this team is accumulating layers of experience and diverse reference points. The conversations we have and the lessons we document provide valuable resources to which we can refer in the future,” he emphasized.
“All of these experiences that individuals bring back to our camp and share with us are essential for our development as a team,” Borthwick concluded.
This article originates from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.
