Key Facts
| Squad | Bristol |
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| Position | Centre |
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| Age | 22 |
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| Height | 1.78m (5'10") |
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| Weight | 78kg (12st 3lb) |
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| Caps | 8 |
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A busy life fully occupies Amber Reed, who is in her third year of studies in Exercise & Sports Science at Exeter University and works as a fitness instructor at the University of West of England. She played eight times for England U20 and four for England A before stepping up to full Test level.
She marked her fourth cap with a try and seven conversions in the 76-0 win over Scotland at Esher this February and landed two conversions and two penalty goals in the France match at Twickenham later that month. Two conversions in the 34-0 win over Italy and a conversion and a penalty in the 20-16 win over Wales took her points’ total to 46 in eight Tests.
Amber celebrated her first rugby trip abroad by helping the A team to win the European Trophy in Spain in May 2011 and marked her initial Test appearance with a conversion and two penalty goals against France at Esher last November. Almost a month later, she helped England to a 17-8 victory that clinched a series win over New Zealand at Aldershot and played off the bench when the Red Roses completed a historic 3-0 whitewash by 32-23 at Twickenham Stadium.
She has shared in three trophy wins, initially when Colston’s School were National Sevens champions in 2006-07. Amber was a member of the England squad that lifted the U20 Nations Cup in 2011, the year when she helped England A to become European champions.
Beating the USA 48-11 in the Nations Cup final in Santa Barbara, California is her most satisfying match so far. She led her university team last season, five years after taking up the game as a Sevens player at Colston’s School where coach Ben Berry was her first mentor to be followed by Mark Tomlinson at Exeter University, Jo Yapp in the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and Bristol coaches Susie Appleby and LJ Adams.
She has played for her home city club since 2009, having studied at Bromley Heath Junior in Downend and Colston’s in Stapleton. At youth level, Amber represented Gloucestershire at cricket and Bristol at hockey, adding to the sporting achievements of her family.
Amber’s father, Alex, figured at club level for Cleve and her Cornish-born uncle Andy Reed, a lock, played 18 times for Scotland and once for the British & Irish Lions as well as enjoying a successful career with Bath, London Wasps and Exeter Chiefs.
Surfing is Amber’s hobby and her most respected players are Jonny Wilkinson “because of his work ethic and world class” and her club mate Sophie Hemming “through her dedication and commitment.”
Last updated: March 19, 2013
