BACK IN BLUE – Sarah Bern believes in the Bristol way
After a monumental autumn with the Red Roses and a “three-week bender”, Sarah Bern tells Olivia Franks that she’s back in her favourite environment. Bristol Bears.
World Cup winning prop Sarah Bern beams: “I thrive in a Bears environment.
“I love Bristol. I love the way we play. That’s why I’ve been here for so long. I’m really excited. It’s different to England. It’s a bit more attacking.
“I’m definitely confident in the Bristol way, so I’m excited to see how we do for the rest of the season.”
Strengths
Although we’ve seen Sarah Bern on Good Morning Britain, host meet and greets in London and get signed to an influencer model agency, she maintains that things haven’t changed.
“I feel like the same Berner – just got a shiny thing I can pull out of my pocket.
“I think I’m lucky. I have such a great club that just really allows me to be authentically myself and use me to my strengths.”
Demolition
The prop’s strengths were seen for the first time in this PWR season last weekend, when she came off the bench during the 74-0 demolition of Leicester Tigers.
“It was a great start to have Leicester to try some new things, see where we have some chinks in the armour, and then this week it’s all about sorting that out and make sure we’re putting our best foot forward.”
Fresh faces were seen in the pack, including ex-Saracens lock Natalia John who is in line to face up against her former team this coming week, and youngster Demelza Short.
More brands need to start looking at women’s rugby as a sport. We’re the only sport really in the world that has a place for all shapes and sizes, all backgrounds. and we are accessible. We are very welcoming to everyone.
Mentor
Bern is keen to become a mentor to the young crop of players coming through the Bears system. Bristol Bears have a partnership with the University of Bristol, providing university students with the opportunity to train alongside internationals within a professional set-up.
The 79 times capped England international says: “We’ve got a couple of really lovely young girls coming in, who are really great players.
“Really, it’s kind of prepping them for the Premiership. It’s about performance. It’s about winning and that’s probably how that mind shift changes.”
Silly
Off the pitch, having been inspired by her former teammate Ilona Maher, Bern began sharing her personality online.
Indeed, Bern’s TikTok videos have become fan favourites gaining 65k Instagram followers and 24.5k on TikTok.
“It’s how I play best – bonding with teammates, being silly.
“We’ve got a load of those girls here that also have the same ethos, so I’d have to have a think if we beat Saracens, maybe we’ll do the Dodge ball chant trend.”
Commitment
When asked about Canterbury’s recent pledge to supply all PWR players with rugby boots, Bern says: “I think it’s amazing.”
“I think it’s great that we have got a sponsor that wants to commit to women’s rugby, and just help out women – you know, most of the people in this league are in a full-time job, are university students. Things like boots are really expensive as well if you’re having to pay to get to club.
“We can commercialise the hell outta women’s rugby. If you think about who’s the repeat buyers, it’s women and children and who are our fan base? Women and children.
“So I think more brands need to start looking at women’s rugby as a sport. We’re the only sport really in the world that has a place for all shapes and sizes, all backgrounds. and we are accessible. We are very welcoming to everyone.”
Tickets are still available for Bristol Bears v Saracens, kick off 2:30pm 9 November.
