After pursing a PhD for the past three years at the University of Cambridge, in Politics and International Studies, while also playing for Cambridge’s first rugby team, I decided to switch gears and challenge myself with an MBA.
The experience at Cambridge Judge Business School has been extraordinary thanks to the incredible classmates and faculty I have met from all over the world. I’ve gained hands-on experience through projects like the Cambridge Venture Project and participated in both School and international challenges.
In parallel to my academic pursuits, I’ve had the opportunity to continue playing rugby this academic year. My rugby journey started in middle school when I learnt how to play rugby in Quebec, Canada. I continued playing through university in Germany, Italy, the USA – even becoming a USA Rugby All-American in 2018 – and now playing for the University of Cambridge in the UK. During my first year PhD at Cambridge I was selected Coaches’ Player of the Year, during my second season I received the Forward of the Year award, and last season I was Vice-Captain of the Women’s Team.
Coming from an ethnic background, with both Mexican and Spanish heritage, my goal as Vice-Captain was to continue to empower women’s rugby at Cambridge and beyond, alongside encouraging women from under-represented communities to come along and try out for this sport. We have successfully achieved this in recent years, by increasing the diversity and number of women coming to the training sessions. Last year we fielded three full women Varsity Matches and we had over 90 women in the team roster.
Balancing the intensive MBA curriculum with competitive rugby has been quite difficult. Yet, with the support of my wonderful classmates it was been a rewarding experience.
The goal for my team this year is to win the 141st edition of the annual Varsity Match against Oxford in March. This year, the Varsity Match will be taking place at Saracens StoneX Stadium for the first time in its 152 year history.
Varsity Rugby Information and Tickets | Saturday 2nd March 2024 | Saracens StoneX Stadium, London
Read more about Vianney, our scholarship recipient for the Cambridge MBA Scholarship for Professional Diversity,
Read more about sport & the range of extra-curricular activities at Cambridge Judge Business School >