England's Katy McLean eyes world stage double ahead of Rio Olympics
Monday 1 August 2016 13:49, UK
Katy McLean is eyeing an unprecedented rugby double in Rio as she aims to claim Olympic gold two years after captaining England to World Cup glory in 2014.
The 30-year-old fly-half has put her teaching career on hold to pursue a sevens medal at the Olympics, where rugby is returning after a 92-year absence.
McLean admitted she was torn about the prospect of giving up her day job after being offered a central rugby contract which led to her moving to the England base in Guildford.
"It was one of those difficult situations where you have two fantastic options," said McLean.
"We had a new head who I found really inspiring and I would've loved to have worked under him. But this was a chance to become a full-time professional rugby player.
"I really wanted to do both. But, ultimately, I knew I'd only get one opportunity to be a professional rugby player. I can always go back to teaching."
McLean was drawn to rugby after watching her father play and began playing at the age of five.
"I remember being in my wellies on the touchline, watching my dad play rugby," she explained.
McLean eventually had to give up the sport during her teenage years because of a lack of opportunity, with no women's or girl's team nearby to play in.
The ultimate redemption awaited, however, when she led England to the World Cup in 2014.
"Lifting the trophy was a moment of utter, utter delight...a culmination of all the ups and downs of our careers," she said in a recent interview.
The women's sevens tournament is slightly treading into the unknown although she will be acquainted with the grand majority of the squad - five of them were alongside her in Paris including sevens captain Emily Scarratt - as they are all English apart from Wales's Jasmine Joyce.
However, further down the line she knows that retirement awaits,perhaps having defended England's world crown next year in Ireland, but she will not have second thoughts about a return to the classroom.
"I miss the kids," said McLean. "They give you so much perspective and balance to life. You can get caught in your own little work bubble, and especially being in a year like this (with the Olympic Games coming up) it's difficult not to.
"The kids always provided that bit of balance on how different life is - and the people I work with, just having a normal life. I do miss it. When I do go back I'll look forward to that."
