The Ladies World Cup starts on August the 1st in France. Alison is part of the squad which will leave Ireland in a few days to settle into the World Cup camp and do what they have spent their lives getting ready for. Below is a Q&A with Alison who is a personal hero of ours and an inspiration to so many for the rugby!
Name: Alison Miller
Age: 29
Club: Portlaoise
Position: Wing / Centre or Fullback
Q: What was it like when you played your first match for the Ireland?
I was really really nervous. I’d not been playing that long about a year with my club, i was anxious, once i started playing i really loved it, i really enjoyed it and scored a try it was kink of a dream debut, a really good debut!
Q: You made the transition from Club to Province then Country but what got you involved in rugby in the first place?
I always played a variety of sports such as basketball, hockey, volleyball, ballet, gymnastics and athletics, I nearly started playing rugby at 14 but the team never materialised and I continued with my other sports, however in my last year of College in WIT two of the lads in my class were Rugby coaches (Andy Macbride and Shane O’Rourke) and encouraged me to take it up. I have not regretted that decision.
Q: Whats your favourite dress code?
My boyfriend says I have a different style every day, ever changing, not a whole lot at the moment apart from tracksuits.
Q: What part of your game have you most improved over the years and what part still could use some work?
I’ve Improved my skill level and passing and breakdown, decision making, but I’m also working on this even more.
Q: Beyond the usual fluff that athletes tell young players, what would you tell a player starting out or playing at 13 or 14 years old about why you love this game and why they should stick with it?
Have to get out and practice your skills and enjoy it, kids can often be pushed too hard and end up disliking the game, they must practice and have fun and enjoy it, you can take criticism the wrong way, keep going seek out knowledge, when I started I did not make the Leinster team and kept trying.
Q: What the biggest difference between provincial and national rugby?
There is a step up from province to nation in level, your playing more international teams, we have a very good interpro series in Ireland, at international level we had not beaten a lot of the high teams, the standard, physicality, skill level were all higher, pace, decisions have to made alot quicker, the high quality players at interpro will come through in the future. At international level we play a lot more teams and depending on the team it can be more expansive & fast paced then games that are tighter, the way other teams play can be similar between inter-provincial and international.
Hobbies outside rugby?
I like socialising meeting people for coffee, going to the cinema, I like watching other sports, GAA, Athletics and all the Gymnastics on TV.
Q: Combining two professions as both an Irish International Rugby player and a full time student, how difficult is it for you to manage the two in your life?
Last year of college in UCC college, PE teaching and history. It can be difficult balancing and UCC have been very helpful, I have managed to have it fall luckily with exams, i guess it all works out.
Q: Is there a buzz around the publicity?
I love playing on the big day, I find myself just reacting to the adrenaline, i like being under pressure.
3. Favourite food?
Pizza.
4. Favourite band or musician?
Relaxing, Paoli nutini
13. Who is your dream date?
My boyfriend will not be happy about this but Ryan Gosling
19. What is your nick name?
Ali or Miller
20. One word to describe you?
Complex