Biography
Kerin Lake, born on May 24, 1990, in Neath, Neath Port Talbot, Wales, is a prominent Welsh rugby union player. She plays as a centre for Gloucester-Hartpury Women in the Premier 15s and the Wales women’s national rugby union team. Standing at 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) and weighing 69.09 kg (152 lb), Lake has made significant contributions to her teams on both the national and club levels. Alongside her rugby career, she provides administrative support to mental health staff at Tonna Hospital.
Teams Played For and Years
- Neath Athletic: 2006–2011
- Ospreys Women: 2016–2020 (26 caps, 115 points)
- Gloucester-Hartpury Women: 2020–present
International Caps
Kerin Lake has earned 33 caps for the Wales women’s national rugby union team since her debut in 2011, scoring 15 points from four tries.
Most Important Moments in Her Sports Career
- International Debut: Made her debut for Wales in the 2011 Women’s Six Nations Championship against Scotland, scoring her first international try in the same match.
- Return to Rugby: After a hiatus due to the birth of her son and an eye injury, Lake returned to the Welsh national team in the 2015 Women’s Six Nations Championship.
- 2021 Rugby World Cup: Selected for the Wales squad for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Early Life and Education
Kerin Lake was born and raised in Neath, Neath Port Talbot, Wales. She attended Neath Port Talbot College, where she began developing her rugby skills.
Playing Career
Lake’s rugby journey started at a young age. She played for Neath Athletic from 2006 to 2011 and later joined Skewen RFC. In 2016, she signed with the Ospreys Women’s team, where she was appointed vice-captain and made a significant impact, scoring 23 tries in 26 matches.
Club Career
- Neath Athletic: Played from 2006 to 2011, establishing her foundation in rugby.
- Ospreys Women: Joined in 2016, became vice-captain, and played 26 matches, scoring 23 tries.
- Gloucester-Hartpury Women: Signed in August 2020, continuing her career in the English Premier 15s.
International Career
Lake has been a key player for Wales at various levels, including the Welsh Student team, Wales U19, and Wales U20 sides. She made her senior debut in 2011 and has been a regular member of the national team since returning in 2015 after a brief hiatus. Lake has scored four tries in her international career and has been a crucial player for Wales in multiple Six Nations Championships.
Personal Life
Kerin Lake is a dedicated mother and balances her rugby career with her role as an administrative support professional at Tonna Hospital, assisting mental health staff. She has one son, and her commitment to both her family and rugby is commendable.
Achievements and Honors
- 2019 Trinity Sports Person of the Year: Winner
- 2020 Zurich Women’s XV Player of the Year: Nominee
- 2021 Energia Women’s Rugby Award: Nominee