“I thrive on bringing groups of people together to do remarkable things” | Andy Gomarsall MBE

Andy Gomarsall MBE, 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, is a team player. He always has been and, even after ending his playing career, always will be. 

Ever since his introduction to the sport, playing mini–rugby at just 5 years old, he admits that the attraction of the game was the sense of ‘mucking in’ and helping your mates. 

From the 5-year-old playing mini–rugby, Andy rose through the ranks to play for Gloucester, Worcester, London Wasps, Harlequins and eventually England. 

 After missing out on county trials, he went on to miss out division trials and England trials the first-time round. He made the teams eventually, but it was never on the first attempt. 

“I was so determined that they saw something different to me. I matured physically and they made me captain of England under 18s, so if at first you don’t succeed, try again.” 

Andy went on to enjoy many successful years in the Premiership and was selected to be part of Sir Clive Woodward’s 2003 World Cup squad.  

With the England team going on to beat Australia with Jonny Wilkinson’s dramatic last-minute drop goal in the final, you would think the first emotion would be euphoria. Or elation. But instead, Andy admits it was relief. 

“There was huge pressure on the England team in 2003 because we were favourites having beaten the Southern Hemisphere teams’ home and away. All eyes were on England. 

“It was massive pressure. I think that from
every single player, the backroom staff and
management, there was a huge sense of
relief that we achieved it”

“It was massive pressure. I think that from every single player, the backroom staff and management, there was a huge sense of relief that we achieved it.” 

Following the 2003 World Cup, Andy’s career took a turn. After suffering from a back injury, he was told by surgeons they didn’t know if he would ever play the game again. 

But, after successful operations and a good recovery, he was back out and playing. But it was in 2006 that Andy suffered a major setback. 

After a knee injury, he was released by Worcester Warriors, and found himself watching professional rugby from the outside. 

“I’d lost faith in professional rugby because I was so hurt for being sacked. When I was sacked from Worcester, my knee had gone and quite frankly I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to be able to play again.  

“I’d lost faith in professional rugby
because I was so hurt for being sacked

“I’d lost my job so I couldn’t prove that I was match fit either, so that was tough, but at that moment I became a father, so I had other concerns in my life.” 

Andy, disillusioned with the professional game, began to play for a pub team, the White Hart Marauders. 

“We were playing for a dear friend, who is not with us anymore, and his wife had died. We were playing in her name and it just hit me again.  It made me ask myself ‘why are you doing this?’ It just made me realise that I play because I love it.” 

After the White Hart Marauders beat the Army in the final of a 7s competition, Andy was offered a chance to resurrect his career at Harlequins. 

“Harlequin’s Dean Richards showed an interest in me. I said to him I would sweep the floor, clean up the changing rooms, anything to play rugby again for a club and he gave me that chance.” 

18 months later and Andy was playing in his second World Cup final, the 2007 narrow defeat to South Africa.  

“I would sweep the floor, clean up the
changing rooms, anything to play rugby again for a club”

“It was the best time for me because it was the last chance. Also, the fact that it was not expected. 

“I think we believed once we beat Australia in the quarterfinals, we believed we could win it and that made it really special.” 

Whilst England went on to lose that final, Andy admits that a lot of the squad, himself included, enjoyed the 2007 tournament a lot more than the successful campaign in 2003. With the team not playing well, as well as the added experience the squad had gained, and a lot less expectation, the whole tournament was a lot more enjoyable. 

Andy also admits that the drama in both finals, with the late drop goal to win and the ‘in or out’ debate for an England Mark Cueto try in 2007, shows the fickle nature of professional sport. 

“It’s just absolutely mental when you think that all those hard training sessions, all the hard work behind the scenes, the strategy, commitment and sacrifice can come down to that tiny margin.” 

“If you’ve given everything and there is
nothing else you could have done, then
you are calm with your outcome”

But, whilst it was disappointing, Andy was not disheartened by the result. 

“It‘s about performing to the levels and being better every day. In sport and general life, it is about giving everything collectively and, if you’ve given everything and there is nothing else you could have done, then you are calm with your outcome.”  

After retiring from professional rugby in 2010, Andy transitioned into the business world, and has taken his lessons from sport with him. 

“I was used to wearing a tracksuit, but I was ready to dress like an adult, wear a suit and commute, but there were moments when I’d look in the mirror and think ‘What the hell am I doing?” 

From dealing with pressure, forming a successful team, constantly looking to improve and delivering on a game plan, professional sport sets athletes up with numerous transferable skills. 

“From an elite sporting level, the leadership that you learn is so good compared to business. We’re so used to dealing with pressure, whereas many businesses aren’t used to reacting and dealing with pressure.” 

But the transition away from playing is still a period many athletes struggle with. For Andy, he was prepared. He had trained to get his coaching badges, set up a business and started consulting for his father’s company. 

After exploring many avenues, he decided to take on the family business and now, wants to replicate his playing success within business. 

“The transition isn’t easy, and nor should it be. You have to go and make it happen, but you can really affect that in your playing career by planning.” 

As well as moving into the business world, Andy also became involved in the School of Hard Knocks (SOHK). 

“The tremendous value that rugby has is
that it is a team game, everyone is different,
but you just try and help one another”

SOHK looks to try and help adults and children turn their life around through the power of sport and, whilst SOHK is best known as a programme on Sky Sports with Will Greenwood and Scott Quinnell, they have gone on to become a leading charity with Andy as a patron. 

“I loved the program, what it stood for. Will told me to come down and have a look, and I was carrying water bottles and helping with a bit of coaching. I just fell in love. 

“The tremendous value that rugby has is that it is a team game, everyone is different, but you just try and help one another. 

“Everyone thought because it was on Sky it didn’t need support, but it was a start-up charity.” 

Next week, SOHK will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest game of rugby ever played. The game of full contact rugby will go on for over 30 hours, with 46 players from SOHK and rugby charity Wooden Spoon playing against each other. 

“All of these events, including the Guinness World Record attempt, are about fundraising to help those the charity works with. 

“If we can help through the vehicle of Sport then that’s what we’re trying to do, so this Guinness World Record is a great way of raising awareness and money.” 

When asked what the biggest challenge he had faced in his career, Andy said it was changing people’s opinion of him for being disloyal, due to the number of clubs he had played for. 

“You want to be remembered for pulling
the strings, leading well, bringing a team
together and enjoying that success” 

But he admits that after some self-reflection, he acknowledges that he is someone that ‘likes to be liked’ and ‘being a team player’ to ‘bring a group of people together.’ 

“[My] legacy is being a team player and bringing groups of people together to do remarkable things, that’s what I thrive on and love.” 

“You want to be remembered for pulling the strings, leading well, bringing a team together and enjoying that success.” 

Just as Andy did on the pitch, that is exactly what he is doing off it, whether it is through rugby, business or charity.