Exeter’s Nye to retire to focus in RAF career
Lucy Nye played 27 times for Exeter, 22 games coming in the PWR
- Published
Exeter scrum-half Lucy Nye is retiring from professional rugby to concentrate on her career with the Royal Air Force.
The 30-year-old has spent the past two seasons as part of the Exeter squad whilst also being a Flight Lieutenant with the RAF.
Nye will bring her 12-year career to a close at the conclusion of this season's PWR Cup campaign having played 27 times for the Chiefs since joining from Leicester Tigers in the summer of 2024.
"The RAF have always been great in supporting me while I have been here but now I want to kick on with my career," Nye told the club website.
"I absolutely love Chiefs and I've always done rugby, but I think it's nice to end something on your own terms.
"I am Exeter born and bred," she added.
"I grew up here, worked at Sandy Park, but there was never a women's team. I can't be more grateful to have finished my career down here.
"Every life decision I have ever made has always been around rugby. That change will be a bit foreign to me, but I also feel at peace with my decision, so I think that's a sign that it's the right for me. I'm going to miss the girls but I'm leaving with a big smile on my face.
"I am lucky though that the RAF is a pretty similar environment, so I am really excited to kick on into the next chapter of my life, but I am happy and I am excited about it. I just want to finish on a high and go out on my terms."
Exeter Chiefs head coach Oli Bishop added: "Lucy's been an incredible player for Exeter Chiefs.
"Personally, I have worked with her for multiple years through my time at Wasps and also here. She's an extremely dedicated player who focuses on getting better, helping drive the standard around her and helping the youngsters improve their game and their knowledge and understanding.
"She will be hugely missed at Exeter on and off the pitch. She has added huge value to us but we understand that with Lucy being a dual-career athlete, at some point you have to look at creating opportunities away from rugby and Lucy has that opportunity with her work in the RAF."
