Abigail (Abi) Kershaw insists she wants to remain at the Sixways Stadium for the foreseeable future.
The 19-year-old has quickly become an exciting prospect after graduating from the Centre of Excellence but admits she has never contemplated playing her rugby elsewhere.
Kershaw (right) hopes to spend her entire club career at Worcester Warriors. Photo: Worcester Warriors Women’s Instagram account.
The full-back said: “I would love to play for Worcester for as long as they’d have me. It’s a great club and I love playing for them.
“Honestly, I don’t see myself playing anywhere else.”
One of only ten clubs nationally, Worcester Warriors competes in the Allianz Premier 15s – the highest level of English elite women’s rugby.
Kershaw has dedicated herself to over a decade of rugby to get to where she is today. “I’ve played rugby since I was seven, so going on twelve years now.
“I got into rugby after watching my two big brothers play at our local rugby club.
“Seeing how much they enjoyed it encouraged both myself and my twin-sister Jess to join and see what all the fuss was about. Now, here we are.”
Abi’s twin-sister, Jess, had suffered from long-term concussion but recently returned to fitness and signed her senior contract with Worcester Warriors.
Jess Kershaw has penned her senior contract with Worcester Warriors. Photo: Worcester Warriors Women’s Instagram account.
The Kershaw sisters enjoy playing professional club-rugby together, with Abi pleased to see her twin make a recovery from a serious injury.
“It’s quite weird but refreshing – we’ve played together our whole lives.
“Jess has been out with concussion for about two years but now she’s back.
“She’s an incredible player so it’s amazing to have her back on the pitch and I know she’s going to try her hardest and play the best she can.”
Jess Kershaw has been included in the squad to play Loughborough Lightning in an Allianz Cup quarter-final match on Saturday, whilst sister Abi is away on U20s international duty playing in a test-series against Scotland and France.
DMP Durham Sharks hosted the England versus Scotland U20s match at the Darlington Mowden Park R.F.C with Kershaw scoring England’s fifth try just before half time. Tweet: DMP Durham Sharks Twitter account.
An England U20s call up for Abi Kershaw, with Worcester Warriors teammate Jemima Moss and body conditioning coach Ethan Kinney. Photo: Worcester Warriors Women’s Instagram account.
The teenager first earned her England U20s call-up back in March 2019 but still struggles to believe she represents her country.
“It’s quite surreal, it didn’t really feel as if it was happening at the time.
“It feels as though you’re playing a normal game but on a bigger stage.
“Of course, I was incredibly lucky to get given the chance to represent my country and I couldn’t quite believe it when I first heard the news.”
The U20s international wants to complete her journey by one day playing first-team rugby for England.
“I would love to get a call up to the England Senior squad, whether that be tomorrow or in five-year’s time.
“To have played for U18s, now U20s, it would be great to complete the set, play for the seniors and be amongst the legends of women’s rugby.”
The Shropshire-born rugby player attends Birmingham City University, balancing her busy schedule between studying, playing for England U20s, Worcester Warriors and the BCU Women’s Rugby Society.
Kershaw (pictured middle-row, third from right) with BCU teammates after victory against Harper Adams University. Photo: BCU Women’s Rugby Instagram account.
The University Undergraduate said: “It’s not too bad (balancing her schedule), Worcester and the U20s are really helpful with providing support when you need it.
“They’re always on hand to listen and find a solution to any problem you might have.
“My busy life can get difficult at times but as a whole it’s quite easy to balance it all.”
Looking ahead towards the rest of the season, Kershaw aims to finish strongly for both club and country.
“The goal for the rest of the season is to finish as high as possible with the U20s and Warriors.
“I’d love to score a couple more tries and hopefully see some wins coming our way but we’ll have to see how that goes.”
Worcester Warriors currently sits eighth in the Allianz Premier 15s with two games remaining, whilst England U20s look to complete their test-series with a win, hosting France at Henley Hawks RFC on Saturday.
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