Name: Daniel Bibby
Year of Birth: 1991
Height: 5ft 10
Weight: 85kg
Sport: Rugby 7's
Team/Club: England 7's
About You:
I’m a northerner, from Wigan, but living in London taking on the big city life! Currently a professional rugby union player for England 7's and have been for 4 years.
Tell us about the sport you compete in?
Rugby 7’s is a little bit different to normal rugby union. It’s a shortened game which is faster, exciting and requires a lot more pace and fitness than the 15 aside game. It has 7 players in each team and each half is 7 minutes each way but its played on a full size pitch! The World Rugby Sevens Series, consisting of ten tournaments, is held at different locations around the world so I get to visit a lot of amazing places whilst playing rugby. In these tournaments, 15 national sevens teams compete with each other for series points. At the end of the season, the overall champion is decided on the basis of the points accumulated in each of the ten events. Sevens is also in the Olympics in Rio this summer.
How did you become involved in it?
I started playing aged 5 at my local club in Wigan called Aspull RUFC. I then went on to Kirkham grammar school for 6th form and UWIC University for my degree. Whilst there I played in a tournament for Sale sharks and through that the coach for England 7's asked me to come down and train with the England 7's and the rest is history!
What does an average training week consist of?
We get into training for 9 am with 30 minutes of stretching and mobilization, then we do a speed session and a 30 minute skill session. We will have a short break then into the gym to lift some weights. Then a big feed for lunch and a pitch session in the afternoon then usually home and sleep on the couch after all that!
How does the CherryActive product range help you during training and competition?
Firstly, I’ve had two major injuries in my career and during both I have taken cherry active and have come back playing a month ahead of schedule and I think cherry active had a part in getting me back to fitness so quickly. Secondly, after a tough days training my body needs that extra help to repair the damage and I believe that cherry active aids me with this.
Highlight of career?
I have a few highlights, of course achieving my first England cap, playing in the Common Wealth games in 2014 and our first tournament win in Tokyo 2015
Who are your hero’s?
Muhammad Ali because of his winning attitude and a real confidence and belief in himself. Also Jason Robinson. I used to watch him play for Wigan when I was a kid and always wanted to have a step like his! Not sure I’ve achieved that though
What are your future goals?
To play for Great Britain in the Olympic Games
How do you relax away from your sport?
I have recently got a new puppy so he is taking up most of my time at the moment trying to stop him ripping up my house!
