Nick Champion de Crespigny

Nick Champion de Crespigny (born 27 June 1996 in Canberra, Australia) is an Australian rugby union player playing in the Back row. He currently plays in France for Castres Olympique in the Top 14 competition.[2]

Nick Champion de Crespigny
Full nameRichard Nicholas Champion de Crespigny
Date of birth (1996-06-27) 27 June 1996
Place of birthCanberra, Australia
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight110 kg (17 st 5 lb; 243 lb)
SchoolCanberra Grammar School
UniversityUniversity of Sydney
Notable relative(s)Rafe de Crespigny (grandfather)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Back row
Current team Castres Olympique
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015-2016 Sydney University ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–2021 Sydney University 69 (25[1])
2018−2019 NSW Country Eagles 11 (0[1])
2021− Castres Olympique 42 (5[1])

Career

Nick Champion de Crespigny was born and raised in Canberra.[3] He started playing rugby union at the age of 8 for his local school, Canberra Grammar School where he studied from 2002 - 2014. Passionate about rowing throughout his high school years, Nick took part in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney in 2013, while also rowing in the Schools 1st VIII for three years.[3] Nick played in Canberra Grammar's 1st XV in 2013 and 2014, and further played for the ACT Brumbies Schools Team in 2014 at the Australian Rugby Championship.[4]

After high school, Nick moved to Sydney to study a Bachelor of Economics at the University of Sydney.[3] Nick joined Sydney University Football Club to play in the Sydney Rugby Union Competition. Nick played with SUFC 1st Colts in 2015 and 2016 winning back-to-back championships. In 2016, Nick made his 1st Grade debut for SUFC, represented the New South Wales Waratahs Under 20s Team and was a member of the Australian under 20s Extended Squad.[4]

Nick played with the SUFC First Grade team from 2017 to 2021, winning consecutive Shute Shield Titles in 2018 and 2019, and playing over 75 First Grade games. Nick was awarded his Rugby Blue in 2018 by the University of Sydney in recognition of his academic and sporting performance, and further awarded SUFC First Grade Best Forward in 2018, 2019 and 2020.[1][4]

After graduating at Sydney University, Nick spent time working in the property development sector as an Assistant Development Manager at Centuria Capital Limited.

In 2018 and 2019 Nick was a member of the New South Wales Country Eagles team in the National Rugby Championship (NRC).[1]

In the same year, Nick was invited to play in an exhibition match with the Melbourne Rebels against the Western Force in their World Series competition. He spent the 2019 Super Rugby preseason with the Melbourne Rebels, playing in a pre-season matches.

Nick spent the 2020 Super Rugby preseason with the New South Wales Waratahs Extended Training Squad. Nick played several games in preseason matches, and throughout the season for the Waratah's A team.

In June 2021, Nick was recruited by Castres Olympique for the 2021–2022 season to play in the Top 14 and European Championship. Nick was recruited by Head Coach at the time Pierre Henry- Broncan, who had been following him for several seasons in Australia and liked his physicality.[4] Nick made his debut for Castres Olympique in Round 2 of the Top 14 on 10 September 2021, starting at number 6 in their win over ASM Clermont Auvergne. In Nick's first season with Castres Olympic (2021-2022), the team finished 1st in the Regular Top 14 Season for the first time in the history of the club. Nick played at number 7 in the Top 14 Grand Final in Paris where the team lost to Montpellier 29–10, finishing up the 2021–2022 season in second place. Nick re-signed with Castres Olympic for 2 additional seasons until July 2024. In Nick's first two seasons with Castres Olympic he played 39 matches across the Top14 and European Championship, 38 of which he was named as a starting player.

Awards
  • Winner of the Shute Shield in 2018 and 2019 with Sydney University FC.
  • Top 14 finalist in 2022 with Castres Olympique.

References
  1. "Nick Champion de Crespigny". www.itsrugby.fr. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  2. "Nick Champion de Crespigny itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  3. "Shute Shield 2020: Sydney Uni's Nicholas Champion de Crespigny on top tryscorers list". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  4. "Nick Champion de Crespigny signs with Castres Olympique". www.sydneyunirugby.com.au. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
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