Former England Womens Rugby captain Catherine Spencer is to join Canterbury Rugby Club as Community Coach.

The appointment is described as a major coup for the club by Head of Playing Giles Hilton.

Catherine, who takes up her appointment on September 1st, will further develop womens rugby in Canterbury and compliment the work of the RFU’s District Community Coach Danny Vaughan.

Catherine Spencer, who led the England to the World Cup final in 2010, will combine her duties with a coaching role at the Simon Langton school and will continue to run the company she founded, Inspiring Women.

“I am really looking forward to working with Canterbury Rugby to continue the work that they have already been doing building links and relationships with the community,” she said.

“As a former England player and captain who grew up playing rugby at Folkestone I have a strong loyalty to the area and a desire to make a positive contribution to the continued development of the sport in Kent.

“After eight years living in Bristol I am now back living in Kent and have enjoyed playing rugby with Aylesford Bulls for the last three seasons following my playing retirement from England.”

“I have now hung up my playing boots but will be coaching Aylesford in their third season in the premiership, alongside my community development role with Canterbury Rugby. “

Giles Hilton said: “This is an outstanding appointment and one that will give rugby a real boost locally – to our benefit.”

“Canterbury Rugby Club’s links with the community are well established and someone of Catherine’s immense stature in the game will make them even stronger.”