Erin Procter

I joined Loughborough University in 2019, not playing any sport and ended up playing rugby because my first-year roommate asked if I wanted to come to tasters with her. And then began playing for the AU club that November in the 2’s. Then went on to get a degree in Bioengineering graduating in 2023 whilst volunteering and playing within the club progressing to play for 1’s and becoming the most capped player on record for the club. Came back in September 2023, to get my masters in sport Management after realising my passion was for sport and getting people into sport. The gained a graduate job with Lboro Sport as Recreational Sport and Physical Activity Graduate Officer

I have helped run and manage a club with over 150 members and have been able to see them become the biggest women’s rugby club in the UK. I have also been able to oversee the promotion and success of the BUCS 3 team as their coach now being the highest ranked 3’s team in BUCS women’s rugby.

Within the club I also had the opportunity to help co-ordinate a visit from an Australian university team (Bond University) where we organised a women’s 7s tournament and a men’s 15s game on campus.

I also was able to help volunteer at BUCS Big Wednesday on campus this past year and help organise the rugby volunteers for scoring and refereeing.

I have been part of setting up the IMS: Road to Rugby program from just a crazy idea to get women into the game to making it a reality and having over 200 new women take up playing the game over two years. In turn helping qualify 20 female student coaches and providing multiple playing opportunities for the participants with local friendlies, university tournaments and then playing in their first ever varsity against Nottingham and IMS All Stars Game.

I was also able to gain invaluable experience through volunteering for the Lightning Rugby program. Getting to attend both home and away games helping with live media updates and matchday logistics thus gaining valuable industry experience.

Another great opportunity I had was to be part of the Female Coaching Leadership Program 23/24. Which provided me a coaching mentor from within Lboro Sport. As well as a cohort of other female student coaches we attended seminars and workshops about our coaching identities and how to progress and evaluate ourselves as coaches. We also had the opportunity to present our journeys and progress to the cohort and leaders within Lboro Sport.

My experience has been unexpected but also ridiculously enjoyable. I have done so many things that I never would have even thought about when I joined the university. I've had so many crazy opportunities and ran so many fun events and programs. It has also given me so much confidence in myself and what I can do that I didn’t have before.

If you’re considering a volunteering opportunity, I’d say just to give it a go because you will learn so much from It both about yourself and your skillset but also from all the other amazing volunteers at Loughborough. And as cliché as it is, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. If there is something you want to achieve through volunteering and experiences you want to gain, ask the CVA to start that conversation because they are the people who can help you.

The thing I have enjoyed the most is the people. Volunteering not only allows you to meet and help people you wouldn’t have otherwise, but it also helps you find like-minded volunteers who will become the best support network and friends you will have at university.