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Writer's picturePhil Packer

England National Academy & Harlequins Rugby Player, Beth Blacklock, joins the BRIT Ambassador family

We are delighted that Beth has joined our BRIT Ambassador family and is championing the BRIT Challenge to support and improve young adult mental health and fitness throughout the UK.

Beth has been a National Academy Player with England Rugby since 2018. While studying at the University of Durham, Beth played for DMP Durham Sharks and also captained the Durham University Women’s Rugby Football Club 1st XV. In July 2021, Beth signed with Harlequins Rugby Football Club and joined the Premier 15s Championship winning team for the 2021/2 season.

Beth Blacklock - England National Academy & Harlequins Rugby Player

“As a student at the University of Durham for the past five years, I know positive mental health is vital to students’ ability to progress and make the most of their education experience at university or college. The pandemic has had a huge impact on students and young adults being unable to play sport, compete and train together. While the restrictions are completely understandable, many young adults, and elite athletes, have struggled with feelings of isolation, loneliness and endured many months without social and team interaction; such an integral part of student life.


Many young adults and students continue to struggling with mental health difficulties and the numbers of students needing professional support and specialist services has increased dramatically. Looking after our health, fitness and wellbeing has never been so important and The British Inspiration Trust’s annual BRIT Challenge is an inspiring feelgood February fundraiser to unite students and staff wherever they are (at home or on campus) and feel connected and part of a team. I hope every UK university, college and Students’ union enters teams in the BRIT Challenge and encourages their students and staff to participate.


It's inspiring that every university and college team taking part in the BRIT Challenge are invited to choose a second charity to raise funds for, alongside BRIT, to support local, regional and national charities. The BRIT Challenge has been designed to be inclusive, enabling students and staff of all abilities to take part and work as a team to cover the 2,022 mile distance by; hand-cycling, cycling, wheelchair pushing, swimming, walking, jogging, running, rowing or paddling (canoeing, kayaking or paddle-boarding).


I am delighted to be a BRIT Ambassador and hope to encourage my fellow elite Rugby Players from every Premiership Team to join our BRIT Ambassador family; by promoting the BRIT Challenge at universities or colleges of our choice, helping to destigmatise mental health and championing equality, diversity and inclusion, together we can have a positive impact on improving young adult and student mental health throughout the UK.

I hope to encourage students and staff at The University of Durham to take on the BRIT Challenge. There are seventeen colleges at Durham and 100 students and staff from each college, completing 5 miles a week during the month of February, would smash the 2,022 mile target. If each of those team members raised £20, together, Durham would complete 35,000 miles and raise £35,000!”

Beth Blacklock - England National Academy & Harlequins Rugby Player

Beth graduated from the University of Durham in 2019, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management with extra Economic modules. I 2019, Beth began her Bachelor of Science degree in Defence, Development and Diplomacy. Between 2019 and 2020, Beth worked on the administration of applicants, events and details of the running of the Durham Inspired Award. The Award is a certificate that students can achieve side by side with their degree to help make a winning and attractive combination for the working world. Beth was also Team Captain for the Durham University Women’s Rugby Football Club 1st XV Team. In December 2019, Beth was awarded a Full Palatinate and Lifetime Membership by Team Durham.

Since November 2018, Beth has been a National Academy Player with England Rugby and played for England A’s against the USA.

While studying at the University of Durham, Beth played for DMP Durham Sharks in the Premier 15s; the elite women’s rugby competition in England.

Beth playing for the University of Durham

In June 2021, Beth began working for Kubrick as a Data Production Consultant.

In July 2021, Beth signed with Harlequins Rugby Football Club and joined the 2020/21 Premier 15s Championship winning women’s team.

Since 2010, Beth has been a Teacher with Colchester Swimming Academy and since 2012, a Lifeguard in Colchester. Since 2015, Beth has been a volunteer with the Mercia Island Festival Trust; every summer there is a camp where people with all different levels of disabilities can come and get involved with a multitude of activities ranging from music, to art, to sports such as adventure courses or quad biking. Every December they have a charity rugby match with festival type fund-raising opportunities to raise money for the Trust.

You can follow Beth on Twitter and Instagram.



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