Rugby Stardom for Old Colfeian
Former pupil Matt Gallagher (OC 2013) is taking the world of professional rugby by storm, winning two major awards in his first season as Back at premiership club Bath.
At the club’s end of season awards evening, Matt picked up Best Back of the Season after proving himself as a consistent and key component of the club’s back line. He went on to land the coveted Players’ Player of the Season award, accepting the award to a standing ovation. Described by the club itself as “perhaps the biggest award of the night”, the Players’ Player award is one that is particularly prized as the winner is voted for by teammates.
Matt joined Colfe’s in the junior school and continued into the senior school with a sports scholarship until Year 11. He performed to a high standard across a number of sports, but from an early age showed a great aptitude for rugby in particular. Matt remains a great supporter of sport at Colfe’s, most recently with the school’s fundraising efforts for the upcoming rugby tour to South Africa.
He progressed quickly through the talent pathway initially with Kent and then the Saracens academy programme, signing a professional contract with the club when he left school. He represented England u20s winning the u20 World Cup in 2016, signed for Munster in 2020 and then Bath at the start of the current season.
Assistant Director of Sport, Alan Bateson, said: “Having known Matt since he was in the junior school it is no surprise he has been recognised by his peers in the manner he has. As well as his undoubted ability and skill, it is Matt’s attitude and work rate that have been consistently high at whatever level and club he has been involved with. He is a fantastic role model for the students at Colfe’s.”
