Sarah Hunter CBE is England’s most capped rugby player of all time – in men’s and women’s rugby.
She reached this huge milestone on rugby’s grandest stage – at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2022.
As the England Rugby Captain, Sarah led her team to the World Cup final in New Zealand, where the Red Roses came up agonisingly short against the hosts in one of rugby’s greatest games.
A stalwart of England rugby, Sarah was an integral member of the England team that defeated Canada in the 2014 Rugby World Cup final to become World Champions.
With the 2014 win came the honours, and England became the first-ever female team to win the coveted BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year Award.
Sarah was also recognised for her Services to Rugby with an MBE that year and a CBE in 2023. She remains a leading inspirational role model for the women’s and girls’ game.
“I was blown away and inspired listening to the ups and downs of Sarah’s rugby career while balancing all the other aspects of her life. I have listened to a lot of motivational speakers and Sarah is the best by far, which was mirrored by the feedback I received from the graduates attending the Santander’s Graduate welcome event.”
EIC Recruitment Partner, Santander UK
Sarah Hunter was England’s captain for seven years, leading the country to four 6 Nations Grand Slam titles.
She has been named England’s Player of the Year by the Rugby Players’ Association and World Rugby’s Player of the Year.
Sarah retired from rugby in 2023 in front of a sell-out crowd at her home stadium of Kingston Park.
She is now part of the England Red Roses coaching team.
As a nine-year-old, Sarah started playing rugby league at Goathland Primary School and studied Sports Science and Mathematics at Loughborough University. Sarah, born in North Shields, worked as an RFU University Rugby Development Officer before moving to Loughborough Lightning to take up a player-coach role.
Sarah Hunter Rugby Highlights:
2022
- Led England to the final of Rugby World Cup
- Became England’s most capped player of all time
- England Six Nations Grand Slam winning captain
2021
- England Six Nations Grand Slam winning captain
2020
- England Six Nations Grand Slam winning captain
2019
- England Six Nations Grand Slam winning captain
2018
- The Times Columnist
2017
- Led England to the final of Rugby World Cup
- RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam-Winning captain
2016
- World Rugby’s Player of the Year
- Named England Player of the Year
2015
- England Captain
- Awarded an MBE for Services to Rugby
2014
- Sports Personality Team of the Year Winner
- Rugby World Cup Winner
2012
- Six Nations Grand Slam winner
2011
- Six Nations Grand Slam winner
- England Vice-Captain
2010
- Rugby World Cup runner-up
- Six Nations Grand Slam winner
2009
- Six Nations Winner
2008
- Six Nations Grand Slam winner
2007
- Six Nations Grand Slam Winner
- England debut
Sarah Hunter, Rugby Motivational Speaker
Sarah Hunter is an excellent inspirational speaker.
She is an experienced motivational speaker, well versed in delivering to a wide array of audiences on subjects including:
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Understanding Pressure
- The Psychology of Winning
- Working in a Male-Dominated Environment
- Challenging Perceptions