Exeter Chiefs Secure Dual-Qualified Hooker Sofia Bekir Fuente for PWR 2025-26 Campaign

Exeter Chiefs announce the signing of Spanish-born hooker Sofia Bekir Fuente for the 2025-26 Premiership Women's Rugby season, highlighting her rapid rise from water polo/rowing and international eligibility for England and Australia.

Exeter Chiefs have bolstered their front-row options with the acquisition of versatile hooker Sofia Bekir Fuente, a 24-year-old athlete whose unconventional rugby journey spans three continents.

Career Highlights

  • Born in Madrid with eligibility for Spain, England, and Australia
  • Transitioned to rugby in 2021 after competing in elite rowing and water polo
  • Developed at Western Force (2022-2024) before European stints with North Bristol and Spanish clubs

Coaching Perspective
Assistant coach Steve Salvin emphasized Exeter's progressive recruitment strategy:

"Sofia embodies the modern cross-sport athlete we're targeting. Her explosive power from rowing and spatial awareness from water polo translate perfectly to front-row dynamics. We're creating pathways for late-starting talents to thrive in the PWR."

Technical Profile

  • Strengths: Lineout accuracy (92% success rate in 2023-24), breakdown efficiency
  • Scrum Impact: Recorded 1,200kg peak force in set-piece testing
  • Leadership: Captained Western Force's development squad during 2023 Super W season

Future Prospects
Bekir Fuente could feature in three national team pathways:

  1. England: Qualifies through grandmother born in Cornwall
  2. Australia: Completed 3-year residency during Western Force tenure
  3. Spain: Current XVs international status

The signing coincides with Exeter's expanded high-performance program targeting athletes from non-traditional rugby backgrounds, with 40% of their 2025-26 squad comprising multi-sport converts.

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