Jade Konkel

Jade Elizabeth Konkel is a professional rugby union player who plays her club rugby with Harlequins Women in the Tyrrells Premier 15s. She is a Number 8 and has represented the Scottish national team since 2013.

Jade Konkel

Full name	Jade Elizabeth Konkel
Date of birth	(1993-12-09) 9 December 1993
Place of birth	Inverness, Scotland
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	88 kg (13 st 12 lb; 194 lb)
University	Glasgow Caledonian University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number 8 Current team Harlequins Women Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) -2017 Hillhead Jordanhill RFC () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2017-18 2018–present Lille Harlequins Women () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2013-present Scotland 43 45 Correct as of 20 July 2020

Club career

After moving to Glasgow to attend university, Konkel played for Hillhead Jordanhill Rugby Football Club. It was while at the club that she made history by becoming Scottish Rugby's first full-time female player in the summer of 2016[1].

Konkel joined French club Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvois (LMRCV) ahead of season 2017/18 while still remaining a Stage 3 supported player in Scottish Rugby’s Academy[2].

She left Lille for London-based side Harlequins ahead of the 2018/19[3][4] season and plays in the Tyrrells Premier 15s. Konkel is a Scottish Rugby 2021 supported player – a series of contracts designed to support players as the Scottish national side seeks to qualify for the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand[5].

International career

Konkel made her Scotland Women debut against England on 2 February 2013 when she came on as a replacement for Mary Lafaiki in the first game of the 2013 Women’s Six Nations at Molesey Road, Surrey[6].

Her first try for her country came in 2015 when she scored against Italy in the Six Nations clash at Broadwood Stadium[7].

Playing style

Konkel is known as a hard carrying, physical player. In the opening rounds of the 2020 Six Nations, she carried a combined 55 times (away to Ireland and versus England at BT Murrayfield) which was over 20 carries more than any other player over the first two rounds of the tournament[8]

Education

Konkel graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a DipHE in Social Work in 2017[9]

Other sports

Konkel played basketball for Highland Bears and had two seasons in the national league.

She represented Scotland in athletics for the army cadets and won two gold medals in 2008/09 for shot putt and discus respectively. In 2008, Konkel gained her black belt in the martial art Goshin-Ryu Kempo.

Personal life

Born in Inverness, and brought up on the Black Isle, Konkel grew up in a rugby family. She played with Inverness Craig Dunain Rugby Football Club, as did her mum, dad, and brothers.

Jade is a passionate vegan[10]. She is also a qualified personal trainer, rugby coach, and gym instructor[11]. She set up Apex Training and Performance in 2018.

References

1. "Jade Konkel: First Scottish woman signs pro rugby deal". BBC Sport. 2016-06-15. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40286859
3. Barnes, David (2019-08-07). "Konkel excited by Harlequins move". The Offside Line. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
4. Cary, Tom (2019-04-26). "Harlequins Ladies No 8 Jade Konkel making capital out of her big move south". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
5. "2021 contracts announced". Scottish Rugby Union. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/21308065
7. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/31674060
8. OptaJonny (2020-02-12). "55 - @Scotlandteam's @JadeKonkel has made 55 carries after just two rounds of the @Womens6Nations this year, 20 more than any other player in the tournament. Persistent.pic.twitter.com/h8w4TU62Xn". @OptaJonny. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
9. https://www.gcu.ac.uk/alumni/profile/shls/jadekonkel/
10. https://www.rugbyworld.com/women/jade-konkels-remarkable-rugby-journey-99420
11. "Jade Konkel". Apex Training & Performance. Retrieved 2020-03-02.