Enniskillen native Claire Boles made her Ireland Sevens debut two weeks ago, when the ladies in green claimed eighth place in the final leg of the series in Clermont-Ferrand. A promising try-scoring performance has led to Boles being drafted into the core 2017/18 squad, poised to clinch World Cup Sevens qualification at the Rugby Europe 7s Grand Prix in Kazan, Russia this weekend.
Before taking off we caught up with the 19-year-old to find out where her love of rugby began and what her ambitions are for the future…
Q. What got you into rugby in the first place?
A. It all started with my dad, he thought I would make a good rugby player. I come from a farm and I would help him weigh the sheep to go to the mart and basically have to tackle them, so he thought rugby would be the perfect sport for me!
I went to Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School and they traditionally play tag rugby so I went to trails at school around 13 years of age and got onto the school team. The squad won the Ulster Tag Rugby Cup four times, which was great to be a part of.
I then joined my local club, Enniskillen RFC, who were starting an U15 tag rugby team. I went down to train at the club and really enjoyed it. I developed more skills as time went on and my rugby started to progress, the team won two Ulster Girls’ Club Cups.
So, to sum it up, it all started with school, I fell in love with the game, joined a successful club team and both gave me the platform I needed to progress. I had great coaches, I got a lot of support at school and at club level, it was a brilliant atmosphere, really enjoyable and my team-mates were like a big family.
Q. Who has influenced your rugby career to date?
A. Seeing Ashleigh (Baxter) progress has certainly inspired me, the way she worked her way up through the Ulster set up and into the Ireland team is incredible. Even watching the guys, which I know is another level, but seeing the Ulster players work hard and make it into the Ireland team really inspires me to train hard. To be in the position I am now is a dream come true.
Q. What has your development pathway been like?
A. I was selected for the Ulster XVs side and at the time 7s was becoming really popular so I played for the Ulster 7s team last year and captained the side in the Inter-pros. Collegiate also had a team and we went to the All-Ireland 7s Schools’ Cup in Dublin and came second. Anthony Eddy was there and he came to talk to me after the game and said I played well. So, at that stage it’s all about taking your chances - off the back of that I was selected for the Ireland U18 team for the School Games and the Euros. After that, I was brought into the 7s programme in September 2016 when I started university in Dublin.
Q. How is life in Dublin?
A. I’d never lived in the city before so it’s a big change but I really enjoy living in Dublin. I am studying Chemical Engineering at UCD so my schedule is very hectic. I have classes Monday to Friday, I do morning gym at 6am, be in class for 9am to about 4pm, then I have pitch sessions from 4pm to 7pm.
Q. You made your debut in France two weeks ago and scored a try, how exciting was that?
A. The Clermont 7s was an unbelievable experience. I started to feel like all my hard work is starting to pay off. To be given the chance to play in a green jersey and score a try on my debut is something I will never forget. My family and friends were all extremely proud.
Q. What are your rugby ambitions?
A. I want to keep working hard and right now we are working towards the World Cup, we are travelling to Russia this weekend with the goal of qualifying for next season's Sevens Rugby World Cup in San Francisco and Tokyo 2020. 7s rugby is such a great challenge, it may only be 14 minutes but no one realises until you’re on the pitch how much can happen in such a short time. It’s such a fast-paced game and really exciting.
Q. What advice would you give to young girls wanting to get into rugby?
A. I would say join your local club and they will give you the opportunity to be seen and to work your way up the ladder. It’s such a fun game and really family orientated - you will make friends for life. I encourage young girls to put in the work and just enjoy every minute. If you enjoy it and your passionate about it, there is no reason why you can’t go far.
Q. With the WRWC 2017 in Ireland this summer, it’s popularity is only set to increase?
A. It is huge having the World Cup at home this August, especially at the home of Ulster Rugby, Kingspan Stadium. I would encourage everyone to come and support, we are really looking forward to it. It’s a great opportunity for young female players or those who are new to the sport or even just thinking about playing to come along and see what it takes to be at the top level of women’s rugby.
Before taking off we caught up with the 19-year-old to find out where her love of rugby began and what her ambitions are for the future…
Q. What got you into rugby in the first place?
A. It all started with my dad, he thought I would make a good rugby player. I come from a farm and I would help him weigh the sheep to go to the mart and basically have to tackle them, so he thought rugby would be the perfect sport for me!
I went to Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School and they traditionally play tag rugby so I went to trails at school around 13 years of age and got onto the school team. The squad won the Ulster Tag Rugby Cup four times, which was great to be a part of.
I then joined my local club, Enniskillen RFC, who were starting an U15 tag rugby team. I went down to train at the club and really enjoyed it. I developed more skills as time went on and my rugby started to progress, the team won two Ulster Girls’ Club Cups.
So, to sum it up, it all started with school, I fell in love with the game, joined a successful club team and both gave me the platform I needed to progress. I had great coaches, I got a lot of support at school and at club level, it was a brilliant atmosphere, really enjoyable and my team-mates were like a big family.
Q. Who has influenced your rugby career to date?
A. Seeing Ashleigh (Baxter) progress has certainly inspired me, the way she worked her way up through the Ulster set up and into the Ireland team is incredible. Even watching the guys, which I know is another level, but seeing the Ulster players work hard and make it into the Ireland team really inspires me to train hard. To be in the position I am now is a dream come true.
Q. What has your development pathway been like?
A. I was selected for the Ulster XVs side and at the time 7s was becoming really popular so I played for the Ulster 7s team last year and captained the side in the Inter-pros. Collegiate also had a team and we went to the All-Ireland 7s Schools’ Cup in Dublin and came second. Anthony Eddy was there and he came to talk to me after the game and said I played well. So, at that stage it’s all about taking your chances - off the back of that I was selected for the Ireland U18 team for the School Games and the Euros. After that, I was brought into the 7s programme in September 2016 when I started university in Dublin.
Q. How is life in Dublin?
A. I’d never lived in the city before so it’s a big change but I really enjoy living in Dublin. I am studying Chemical Engineering at UCD so my schedule is very hectic. I have classes Monday to Friday, I do morning gym at 6am, be in class for 9am to about 4pm, then I have pitch sessions from 4pm to 7pm.
Q. You made your debut in France two weeks ago and scored a try, how exciting was that?
A. The Clermont 7s was an unbelievable experience. I started to feel like all my hard work is starting to pay off. To be given the chance to play in a green jersey and score a try on my debut is something I will never forget. My family and friends were all extremely proud.
Congratulations to Claire Boles (@EknRugby) who made her @IrishRugby Womens 7s debut at the weekend and marked it with this try versus USA! pic.twitter.com/St9YyVrVaj
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) June 27, 2017
Q. What are your rugby ambitions?
A. I want to keep working hard and right now we are working towards the World Cup, we are travelling to Russia this weekend with the goal of qualifying for next season's Sevens Rugby World Cup in San Francisco and Tokyo 2020. 7s rugby is such a great challenge, it may only be 14 minutes but no one realises until you’re on the pitch how much can happen in such a short time. It’s such a fast-paced game and really exciting.
Q. What advice would you give to young girls wanting to get into rugby?
A. I would say join your local club and they will give you the opportunity to be seen and to work your way up the ladder. It’s such a fun game and really family orientated - you will make friends for life. I encourage young girls to put in the work and just enjoy every minute. If you enjoy it and your passionate about it, there is no reason why you can’t go far.
Q. With the WRWC 2017 in Ireland this summer, it’s popularity is only set to increase?
A. It is huge having the World Cup at home this August, especially at the home of Ulster Rugby, Kingspan Stadium. I would encourage everyone to come and support, we are really looking forward to it. It’s a great opportunity for young female players or those who are new to the sport or even just thinking about playing to come along and see what it takes to be at the top level of women’s rugby.