Bekir Fuente’s “pretty awesome” journey to first start

Tomorrow’s game marks Sofia Bekir Fuente’s first start for Exeter Chiefs Women to top off a dizzying rise from non-player to JAECOO Next Gen Cup hooker in just five years.

Qualified to play for Australia, England and Spain, Bekir Fuente arrived at Chiefs having only taken up the game five years ago. The 26-year-old first picked up a ball for Cottesloe Rugby Union Football Club, known as the Shegulls, before training with Western Force and then heading to the UK to help North Bristol become South West 2 champions.

After a short stint with CRAT (Club de Rugby Arquitectura Técnica) A Coruña in Spain, she arrived at Sandy Park to give the top women’s league and cup, in her words, “a red-hot crack”.

“I was reflecting on this the other day, I've only been playing rugby for five years, so the jumps in those five years have been crazy,” Said Bekir Fuente. “I went from a club level with the Shegulls and very quickly ended up in the Force, which was a professional environment, but I never really got a run there. Then experienced a championship with Bristol, which was a step up from club rugby in Australia, a great environment.

“Going and playing the National League in Spain, which again was challenging in its own right, but still nothing compares to here. Even cup last year, getting a run around with the Champs girls as well, was a really great experience. But to reflect on that journey and to see where I'm at now, it's pretty awesome to be honest.”

After a frustrating first Chiefs season due to injury, Bekir Fuente came on as a replacement against Leicester Tigers Women for the Chiefs’ first cup game this season and has been selected for tomorrow’s fixture against Loughborough Lightning (KO 15:00).

She said: “I did my right ankle and then my very first training session contact back, I did my meniscus in my knee that took me out for another six or seven weeks. Then I did my ankle again on my first game back and then by the time I recovered from that it was basically the end of the season. So yeah, big journey but feeling robust at the minute which is quite nice and hopefully stays that way.”

But now Bekir Fuente is in that starting line-up and her parents, back in Australia, were the first people she called.

“I'm over the moon, honestly. I feel like it's been quite a journey to get here. Obviously, a bit of a challenging season last season for me…but that taught me a lot about myself as a rugby player.

“I’ve got to learn off some of the best; I’m still learning off some of them. Kayleigh and Carys - our little hooker gang on the side - watching the lineouts and getting ready to throw them, we have a great time. The support from them has been unreal, but yeah, very keen to have my turn.”

Off the pitch, Bekir Fuente is a ray of sunshine and is one of the first to volunteer for club duties despite also holding down a job as an environmental engineer. She is definitely a people person who has embraced life in the city and at Sandy Park.

“It's been really nice to come into a pre-season having the stability and the base with the girls as well as just people in Exeter, like having a home here. I know where I am, I'm comfortable with my people, and all the supporters that are there. They are at every game and them and they really keep you going.

“Last year, I didn't feel confident to put my foot forward and say, yeah, I know what's going on at these scrums. I just faked it. Now I actually feel like I know, which is good! I’m hoping to really get out there, be my smiley self, but also switch on, do the job and take charge when it comes to set-piece.”