Fed member blazing a trail for British Police Women’s Rugby Team

17 April 2025

Derbyshire Police Federation member Alexandra (Alex) Clinkard gives meaning to the old adage that rugby is a game for all shapes and sizes.

Alex stands at 5ft 8in tall and says she weighs eight stone ‘wet through’.

Out on the rugby pitch, Alex is always up against players who tower over her or who weigh more than her.

But the 29-year-old, who usually plays at full-back or on the wing, says that is when she is at her best.

 

Derbyshire Police Federation member Alexandra (Alex) Clinkard.

 

“When you think of rugby, you think of players having to be physically huge,” she said.

“But it’s not always the case.

“I’m eight stone wet through and I’m playing against players who are twice my weight and size.

“But I love it, particularly when people underestimate me. Anyone that runs at me, I’m happy to get them down.

Saracens

“It doesn’t matter what size, shape, or background you are, you can find a position for you.

“I love that about rugby.”

Alex is in her third season playing for the British Police Women’s Rugby Team having successfully tried out for them at Saracens’ home ground shortly after becoming an officer.

“I’ve been in the police for six years,” she said. “Three when I was a PCSO and then I’ve been a PC for three years.

“When I joined as a PC, women’s rugby was quite popular and I saw the trial advertised and went along.

“There were probably about 200 girls and we spent about six hours doing all sorts of activities and games. We tried out against players who play international rugby or Premiership standard on a regular basis.

“They picked 50 players, who were split between the first and second teams.

British Police 

“I’ve tried out for two more seasons and been able to get in.

“It’s really competitive and I love it.”

The British Police took on RAF Women at the start of February in their first game of the year.

The RAF raced into a 25-5 half-time lead but the British Police roared back in the second half, coming close to completing a stunning fightback before eventually losing 30-29.

The same fixture last season helped Alex launch her British Police career.

“We won that game and I scored a hat-trick of tries,” she said.

“That game properly kick-started my policing rugby career.

Competitive

“We’ve got the fire service in March. We played them in Nottingham last year and that was a really good game. It was really competitive and we won by one try.

“We play the British Army as well, which is probably our most competitive game. We normally get quite a big crowd for that.

“We also had quite a big crowd when we played France in September. That was at the Exeter Chiefs stadium and was a great experience.”

Alex had experience of playing for Leicester Tigers Ladies when they began their women’s team in 2021.

“I couldn’t fit it in with my shifts, which broke my heart,” she said.

“But I still get to play and I still get to do the job I love.”

Alex currently plays for local team Derby Women, alongside fellow Derbyshire Police Federation member Matilda Cawdell.

Matilda is also a member of the British Police Women’s Rugby squad and played for the second XV in their game against Oxford Harlequins at the start of February.

Policing

Alex found her love of rugby when she was at university. Up to that point, she had been a keen footballer.

“My best friend at the time said I should come and try rugby,” Alex said.

“I went to a training session at Amber Valley Rugby Club. I instantly loved it, picked up rugby and haven’t stopped playing it since.”

However, she said it can be tough to find the time to train and play with a job in frontline policing.

Alex said: “It can be difficult to balance playing with my job as a police officer.

“Sometimes I have to sacrifice my home life because I try to prioritise my fitness outside of work.

“I train six days a week. If I’m not in a gym, I’m out running or I’m on the pitch.

“I just have to fit it in when you can because I love doing it.”

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