Munlochy rugby player awarded new professional contract to help Scotland qualify for world cup
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MUNLOCHY rugby player Jade Konkel is one of 10 women to receive professional contracts from the Scottish Rugby Union for the 2019/20 season.
The number eight, who plays for Harlequins in the English Premier 15's competition, has received what is known as a 2021 contract, that will provide financial support to enable her to train and play professionally.
The aim of the contracts is to help Scotland qualify for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Scotland have failed to qualify for the last two World Cup tournaments in France in 2014 and Ireland in 2017.
Konkel was the first woman to be awarded a professional contract by the Scottish Rugby Union in 2016.
She previously played in France for Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvois before joining Harlequins in London in 2018.
Head of Women’s and Girls’ Rugby, Gemma Fay, said: “The 2021 contracts allow us the flexibility to support players to play or train more in a competitive environment.
“2021 contracts are only a small part of a much wider support network we are investing in to provide players with the opportunity to be the best they can for Scotland.
“Over the past two years both players and staff have worked hard to train more and better, to increase the exposure to international rugby through regular Tests, as well as push each other in their daily training environments.
“The support goes much wider than the Scottish Rugby Women’s performance staff.
“Scottish-based performance squad players benefit from regional FOSROC Academy support.
“Our clubs and club coaches are really buying into what we are trying to do at International level, which is vital for the future development of the women’s game.
“Ultimately, it’s about providing Scotland Women with the best chance of getting to, and performing at, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021. That remains our collective ambition."
