Starlet Muir in Sevens heaven after epic year
A PROMISING rugby union player has had a year to remember after a dream campaign with Newcastle Falcons in the Singha Premiership Sevens.
Northumbria University student Will Muir is one of 12 sporting talents from across the city to pick up a 2018 Rising Star Award from Sport Newcastle at the charity’s annual dinner.
The prestigious accolade is in recognition of 21-year-old mechanical engineering student Muir’s achievements on the field in 2017.
These included the fly-half scoring a last-minute try for the national BUCS Sevens squad and being a finalist with the Falcons in the Singha Sevens.
Of his BUCS Sevens heroics, Muir said: “I did not actually know it was the last play of the game.
“I just knew we were behind and needed a try.
“I owe it all to Aedon Moloney who gave me the pass on the halfway line - from there I just had to make it to the try line.
RUGBY UNION
“Then when the whistle went for full time the feeling was incredible.”
Of the 2017 Singha Premiership at Northampton Saints’ Franklin’s Gardens, where the Falcons lost 31-12 to holders Wasps, Muir added: “It came as a total shock for me as it was my first season of playing sevens rugby.
“Reaching the final and playing against some of the best players in the Premiership was a dream come true.”
Darren Fearn, head of rugby at Northumbria University, nominated Muir for his award. He said: “I am very proud of Will’s achievements with the England Sevens, Newcastle Falcons Sevens and winning the Sevens championship with Northumbria.
“They are all brilliant successes but to do them all in one year is even more impressive.”
Muir began playing rugby at the age of nine and after a four-year hiatus for football took up the sport again at 15.
He said: “My dad played rugby his whole life at Guisborough RC so he was eager to get me involved with the brilliant minis’ and juniors’ setup.
“That was my introduction to rugby.”
Muir was selected for Northumberland Seniors in 2017 in addition to being chosen for the England students ‘ squad in 2018.
He added: “This year I have been selected for the wider training squad for England Students and I am hoping for selection for the squad to travel to France in April.
“I am looking to push on with my rugby and play at the highest standard I possibly can.”
Fearn (pictured right) added: “Will has progressed so much - the coaching team at Northumbria have invested time in him but the real hard work has been done by him.
“His skill set and game awareness have really improved and are continuing to do so, allowing his natural ability to shine.
“Will’s attitude and personality define him as a person and a rugby player and have allowed him to progress rapidly.”
Muir was delighted to be nominated for a Rising Star award.
He said: “I was privileged to be nominated but when I found out how many people were put forward for the award I was even more honoured to have been selected.”
Fearn said: “I nominated Will because of his achievements and the hard work he has put into achieving them. “Will progressed through the ranks at Guisborough RUFC from a young age where his family have strong ties.
“He came to Northumbria and played for the third team the year before I arrived.
“He then trained with the first team in my first year and we saw how much raw talent he had.
“He has worked so hard over the last year to consistently put his talent on the pitch and he has done this while studying a degree, which makes it all the more impressive.
“If Will keeps the same focus and attitude I think he can go professional and then see where it takes him.
“He has a very supportive family around him so the foundations are there for him to really push on.”
IN THE SECOND IN A REGULAR SERIES OF FEATURES ON THIS YEAR’S SPORT NEWCASTLE RISING STARS OF SPORT AWARD WINNERS, SAM BLACKLOCK TALKS TO RUGBY STARLET WILL MUIR