Exeter is one of two teams that have been added to the 2020-21 Women’s Premier 15s League, and three Eagles will be overseas representing the Chiefs in the English competition (read more). Of the trio, Kate Zackary is the most senior at 31 years old and has represented the USA in both 7s and 15s world cups and as Women’s National Team (WNT) captain.
The link between Exeter and the Eagles is WNT head coach Rob Cain. The Englishman came to the U.S. after four years in the premier league and led the Saracens to the 2018 title.
“We’ve previously discussed the differences and similarities between the WPL and English Premier League, and I’ve always been curious about how I would fare,” Zackary referenced the U.S. elite competition, the Women’s Premier League. “With Rob’s connections back to the Premiership, he introduced me to Exeter coaches Susie [Appleby] and Amy [Garnett].”
Coaches Appleby and Garnett had the difficult task of bringing a completely new team into existence during a pandemic, and looked to international players to fill the ranks.
Photo: Colleen McCloskey
“Ultimately Exeter asked to speak with me,” Zackary explained. “I think they had a number of conversations with Rob Cain and needed to fill a few positions, luckily one was a back row!”
Meanwhile, Covid-19 did laps around the globe. Countries like New Zealand were able to contain the viral spread and reactivate its national sport by June. The U.S., however, canceled the majority of spring and summer competitions. So players and teams adapted with virtual training and recruiting, and Zackary, who plays for the San Diego Surfers, also adjusted.
“Training throughout the pandemic has been quite varied, becoming more consistent in June and July,” Zackary explained. “It was a nice change of pace in the early months, doing more group fitness classes led by The Iron Pineapple Fitness and other HIIT-style training in our backyard. Once the parks opened back up late May, we were able to get out on the grass and just condition four times a week plus individual skills work.”
One June 1, the WPL announced a postponement to the start of the 2020 season, originally scheduled for Aug. 29. On July 8, the league decided to scrap the fall season entirely and look for a replacement competition in spring 2021.
“My decision to come to England this year was almost simultaneous to the cancellation announcement of the WPL season,” Zackary noted. “It is very unfortunate that the WPL cannot press on at this time, but I look forward to seeing the team hopefully back on the field in the spring!”
Zackary signed a one-year contract with Exeter, relocated to England in late September and will remain abroad until early May when the league championships commence. There is the possibility for returning to the states for the holiday break but that roundtrip is contingent on travel restrictions.
Zackary will also continue to work full-time while living in Exeter.
“My job is being very supportive, allowing me to flex my work hours on our three longer training days,” Zackary explained. “The clients I work with have also been extremely interested in the whole ordeal, and had a number of questions!”
Zackary joins a diverse squad, which includes homegrown talent, former national team captains in Spain’s Patricia Garcia and Canada’s Olivia DeMerchant, as well as players from Wales, Netherlands, Japan and New Zealand.
“It is still settling in, I think,” Zackary reflected on professional-rugby-player status. “The move happened very quickly and it came with a few last-minute stressors, but I’m ready to just get stuck into training with a new group. The players have been training hard for two months, grinding through a tough preseason, and now it’s time to make a name for Exeter Chiefs.
“This is going to be a new challenge, and it will not be easy – I think that is what I’m most looking forward to,” Zackary concluded. “Being away from home and loved ones, in a new place, new home, new team, but that also means new training tricks & tips, new friends, and new life experiences.”
The Women Premier 15s season is set to begin later this month.