Abbie is a Great Britain and England international who has represented Great Britain twice at the Olympic Games and captained England for three seasons. She led the Great Britain team to success in securing qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and where the team finished 4th.
“I am delighted to be a BRIT Ambassador and help support and improve young adult mental health throughout the UK. As a former student, and training and playing with other young athletes, I know that many young adults and students are struggling to cope with mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded existing mental health challenges and it is vital that students are able to access support when they need it.
Maintaining good mental health is vital for our wellbeing and The British Inspiration Trust’s annual BRIT Challenge is an inspiring opportunity to support and improve young adult mental health and fitness. I hope every UK university, college and Students’ Union enters teams in the BRIT Challenge and encourages their students and staff to take part; at home or on campus. This is a fantastic inclusive feel-good February fundraiser that is enabling students and staff of all abilities to participate.
I know my fellow male and female Great Britain and England Rugby team players will be inspired by the work of The British Inspiration Trust and I will do all I can to encourage them to join our BRIT Ambassador family and champion the annual BRIT Challenge. By uniting as players, together we can enthuse more universities and colleges to take on the BRIT Challenge, destigmatise mental health and both support and improve young adult mental health and fitness.
I would be thrilled to support students and staff at the Clyst Vale Community College, Hartpury College and the University of Exeter as they take on the BRIT Challenge”.
Abbie Brown
Olympian and Great Britain and England rugby captain
BRIT Ambassador
Abbie followed her brother into the sport, picking up the ball when only six at Cullompton Rugby Football Club. After attending Clyst Vale Community College, she graduated from Hartpury College and was then awarded a full-time professional contract in the England Women’s Elite Player squad.
In 2015, Abbie made her full England debut against Wales in the Six Nations before playing for England Sevens in the Rugby Europe Grand Prix Series.
Abbie has also been part of the England Under 20 15s squad. She represented Great Britain in the Women’s Rugby Sevens team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and scored twice in their quarter-final match against Fiji to help Great Britain into the semi-finals.
In 2018, Abbie captained England at the Commonwealth Games, held on the Gold Coast, Australia, where the team secured the Bronze Medal.
Abbie captained the Great Britain team to win their Olympic qualifying event and in 2021, captained the team to secure 4th at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Abbie’s website is www.abbiebrown.co.uk and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.