Carpenter Emily Robinson enjoying building next chapter with Chiefs

Emily Robinson is relishing the opportunity to build the next chapter of her career at Exeter Chiefs.

The back row made the switch to Devon from Harlequins in the summer, heading west with sister Flo, who returned to Sandy Park for a second spell with Chiefs after a season at Quins.

The pair came through the Quarters system in the capital but Robinson felt the need for a fresh challenge after feeling her love of rugby wane last season.

“Quins was my local club and I came through the pathway but I got to a point where I probably got a bit complacent, and that’s not really within my personality,” she said. 

“I probably got to a place in rugby where I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I used to.

“I have always admired Chiefs and with Flo having played here for three years, coming back with her was something that made the decision a little bit easier. In all honesty, I needed a change and I knew Chiefs would be a really good fit.

“When the opportunity came up, I would’ve been quite disappointed with myself if I just stayed at Quins for a few more years and then retired having never really challenged myself.”

Robinson has hit the ground running in her new surrounds on the pitch but it has not always been easy to get used to life in the south west.

The 24-year-old is a carpenter away from rugby and was used to working in construction while at Quins but is adapting to a new lifestyle in Devon.

Nothing like some sisterly love to celebrate Emily's first Chiefs try 🖤

6' Emily Robinson TRY ➡️11' Flo Robinson TRY 🤟

How lucky are we to have the pair!!#EXEvBRI | #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/6gjqBEJMW5

— Exeter Chiefs Women (@ExeChiefsWomen) October 14, 2024

“It has been quite an adjustment,” she added. “I always juggled quite a few jobs while playing at Quins and this is the first year I’ve not had to do that.

"It has been quite different in terms of my lifestyle and my schedule.

“The opportunity to work here is just as high as it is in London, especially within the building sector. The affordability of houses is night and day, which is something that is definitely an advantage of being here.

“Being a carpenter and wanting to take the next step, moving forward that is doing houses up. So if I can afford to buy a house here, that is my career outside of rugby. If I can work for myself, that will be a great mix.”

Robinson is one of relatively few women within the construction industry, something she is keen to change by challenging perceptions.

It is the same message promoted by new Premiership Women’s Rugby partner Wates, one of the UK’s leading building companies, which is looking to right the gender imbalance in the sector.

Together, Wates and PWR are looking to drive a powerful change, with the shared goal of redefining what inclusion and equal opportunity looks like in both rugby and the built environment industry.

And Robinson hopes her presence on both the building site and the rugby pitch can make construction a viable option to more and more people.

“I was a bit lost because I didn’t want to go to uni and then one of my coaches told me to chat to Rich, the chairman of my local rugby club, and see if I could do a bit of work experience,” explained Robinson.

“I did that over the summer and loved it, so decided to do my apprenticeship. It came around through rugby.

“As someone who has come from a middle-class background, you tell someone you want to do an apprenticeship and they doubt your choices.

“It is just not really something people put in high regard, but it is such an important part of the economy. It is a great skill to have and you can upskill within building, but people don’t realise that.

“Any kind of opportunity for boys and girls to understand what you could do is great, it suits a lot more people than uni would.”

While there has been plenty of change off the pitch for Robinson, consistency has been the name of the game on it as Chiefs have enjoyed a blistering start to the season, winning their first eight matches before being beaten by Gloucester-Hartpury on Saturday.

And Robinson is hopeful her side can continue their good form into the New Year, as she also targets personal goals ahead of a big summer.

“We want to win the Prem this year,” she said. “I think we’ve got the squad and the set-up to do it.

“The World Cup is a massive driver for loads of the players in our squad, players need to be in the best position to make sure they’re selected.

“I was in and out of England camps when I was a bit younger. I’ve not been involved for about a year or so but it is definitely something that I want to be in the best position for. I want to be playing the best rugby to know I am giving myself the best chance possible.

“If the coaches are interested, then brilliant. If they’re not, I can look back and think I gave it my best go. A home World Cup is insanely special, so why not give it a go and see what happens?”