IT HAS been quite a year for Maggie Alphonsi.

The England rugby star, who grew up in the Edmonton area, won the heart of the public during September’s Rugby World Cup, which saw the English side pipped at the post by New Zealand in the final, 13-10.

To crown it all, Alphonsi was also named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year for 2010.

The 26-year-old fought off stiff opposition from six of Britain’s finest athletes, including world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle, cyclist Emma Pooley, Commonwealth swimmer Fran Halsall, Olympic skeleton rider Amy Williams and heptathlete Jessica Ennis to win the award.

Alphonsi said much of her success was down to the encouragement she has received from Hertford Regional College, where she was a student.

“Coming straight from school, it was great to go to a college like HRC who encouraged me in my sporting career and put me on the path to achieve my sporting and academic goals.”

Alphonsi went on to obtain a BSc in Sports & Exercise Science at De Montfort University in Bedford, and later an MSc in Sports & Exercise at Roehampton University. Recently she was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Bedfordshire for her services to women’s rugby.

One of Maggie’s sport lecturers at HRC, John Murrells, said: “I take very much pride in saying that I have worked with Maggie. I am really proud for her. It just goes to show what you can achieve with dedication, hard work and sacrifice. Looking at the names of former winners, it’s like a who’s who of female sports stars and to see Maggie now as one of them is absolutely fantastic."

HRC principal Andy Forbes said: “Maggie’s academic and sporting profile is just amazing and her achievement in winning this accolade against such high-class competition is enormous."