From being persuaded to give rugby a go by a friend to finding her feet in the forwards, Sasha Cogger has been part of Eastbourne Rugby Club for just over a year. Now playing at tight-head prop and second row, Sasha brings plenty of vocal energy to the squad, even if she admits to being a little confused and disoriented at times!

At 26, when she's not on the rugby pitch, Sasha is busy teaching, reading and enjoying time with friends. Her rugby journey began when a friend dragged her along to a social event, before convincing her to take the next step and come along to training. The rest, as they say, is history!

A year into her rugby adventure, there have already been some memorable moments. When asked about her best rugby moment so far, Sasha's answer was brilliantly honest: "Being shocked that I actually caught the ball for once!" It's fair to say that catching the ball is a skill worth celebrating.

Her approach to rugby advice is equally straightforward. The best advice she's received? "Get over it and just do it." A motto that sounds particularly appropriate when you're playing in the forwards!

When it comes to pre-match motivation, Sasha turns to Man I Need or You've Got the Love to get fired up. And if you want to know who keeps the squad laughing, she points straight to Imi (Imogen Graham) as the funniest player in the team.

Away from the pitch, Sasha has a few surprises up her sleeve. Her hidden talent is being able to lick her elbow, while her alternative sporting career would apparently involve pub golf rather than another team sport. If the squad ever found itself stranded on a desert island, Sasha reckons Sophie Coates or Elly Freeman would be the ones to survive the longest!

Supporting Sasha: Cornfield Accountants Limited

Sasha is sponsored by Cornfield Accountants Limited, a local accountancy firm helping individuals and businesses with tax, accounting and compliance.

We spoke to Shaun Muller about the business, its roots in Eastbourne and why supporting local rugby matters.

The business dates back to 1981, when it was first established as Breeze Ralph & Co, before becoming Cornfield Accountants in 2022. With decades of experience behind the name, the team continues to focus on helping local people and businesses while building long-term relationships within the community.

For Shaun, one of the best parts of running a local business is exactly that connection with the people around them. Supporting Eastbourne Rugby Club was a natural fit after a good friend of the business, who had links to the club, suggested getting involved.

Shaun explained that it was a great opportunity to give something back to the community that has supported the business over the years. He also highlighted the importance of local clubs to the town, particularly in giving young people the chance to develop skills, confidence and friendships.

Being involved with ERFC also creates opportunities to build relationships with people the business might not otherwise have met. It's a reminder that grassroots sport brings communities together in more ways than one.

Looking ahead, Shaun is particularly excited to see the club continue to grow, with a special interest in the development of the ladies' game.

His message to other local businesses considering sponsorship is simple: "You never regret supporting local clubs and you can see the difference it makes to the club."

And finally, if Shaun could invite one rugby legend to a dinner, his choice would be former England and British & Irish Lions star Jason Robinson - a fitting guest for a conversation about rugby, community and the impact of the game.

Thank You for Your Support

Everyone at Eastbourne Rugby Club would like to thank Shaun and the team at Cornfield Accountants Limited for supporting Sasha and the club. Local sponsorship plays a vital role in helping grassroots rugby thrive, and we're grateful to have local businesses investing in our players and community.

Find out more about Cornfield Accountants Limited:

www.cornfieldaccountants.com
5 Cornfield Terrace, Eastbourne, BN21 4NN
01323 576446