{{short description|New Zealand rugby union player}} {{use dmy dates|date=November 2015}} {{infobox rugby biography | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Victoria Blackledge | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|8|26|df=y}} | birth_place = | occupation = Physiotherapist | height = {{height|m=1.67}} | weight = {{cvt|65|kg|lb stlb}} | position = Wing, fullback | amatyears1 = | amatteam1 = | provinceyears1 = 2006-present | province1 = Auckland | provinceapps1 = | provincepoints1 = | repyears1 = 2006–2013 | repteam1 = {{nwrut|New Zealand}} | repcaps1 = 18 | reppoints1 = 30 | repsevensyears1 = 2009 | repsevensteam1 = {{ruw7|New Zealand}} | repsevenscomp1 = | coachyears1 = 2023– | coachteams1 = Hurricanes Poua | medals = {{MedalSport|Women's rugby union}} {{MedalCountry|{{NZL}}}} {{MedalCompetition|Rugby World Cup}} {{MedalGold|2006 Canada|Team competition}} {{MedalGold|2010 England|Team competition}} {{MedalCompetition|Rugby World Cup Sevens}} {{MedalSilver|2009 Dubai|Team competition}} }}
'''Victoria Grant''' (''née'' '''Blackledge'''; b. 26 August 1982) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player. She played for {{nwrut|New Zealand}} internationally and for Auckland at provincial level. She was recently appointed as Head Coach of Hurricanes Poua.
== Biography == Grant has a bachelor's degree in Health Science majoring in Physiotherapy and a post-graduate diploma in Sports Medicine.<ref>{{cite web |author=lifestylephysio.co.nz |date=2013 |title=Lifestyle Physiotherapy - Clinic staff |url=http://www.lifestylephysio.co.nz/staff.html |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref> She was named Women's player of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2008 |title=NZ Rugby Awards: Hooker Hore wins top prize |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/nz-rugby-awards-hooker-hore-wins-top-prize/MX7ZWCPLJMBFH2WUDDFS5WEB5M/ |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
Grant was a member of the Black Ferns champion 2006 Rugby World Cup squad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-05 |title=World Cup Windback: 2006 Black Ferns |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/world-cup-windback-2006-black-ferns/ |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-07-26 |title=Black Ferns World Cup squad named |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/black-ferns-world-cup-squad-named/LE6UXBHYQILKARDBWM3E35OPRE/ |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref> She made her test debut at the tournament on 4 September 2006 against Samoa at Edmonton. She was also part of the 2010 Rugby World Cup winning squad.
In September 2022, Grant was appointed as the new Head Coach of Hurricanes Poua for the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-27 |title=Grant to Lead Hurricanes Poua in 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki |url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/grant-to-lead-hurricanes-poua-in-2023-super-rugby-aupiki/ |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=Hurricanes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Powell |first=Alex |date=2022-09-28 |title=Super Rugby Aupiki: First female coaches appointed for expanded 2023 competition |language=en |work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/09/super-rugby-aupiki-first-female-coaches-appointed-for-expanded-2023-competition.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927191026/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/09/super-rugby-aupiki-first-female-coaches-appointed-for-expanded-2023-competition.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 September 2022 |access-date=2022-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-27 |title=Super Rugby Aupiki returns for 2023 with two new coaches |url=https://www.nzsportswire.com/2022/09/28/super-rugby-aupiki-returns-for-2023-with-two-new-coaches/ |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=NZ Sports Wire |language=en-NZ |archive-date=17 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017004606/https://www.nzsportswire.com/2022/09/28/super-rugby-aupiki-returns-for-2023-with-two-new-coaches/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She will be absent for the 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season as she will be having her second child, she will return as head coach in 2025.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Lester |first=Ned |date=2023-11-10 |title=Super Rugby Aupiki coaches confirmed for 2024 season |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/super-rugby-aupiki-coaches-confirmed-for-2024-season/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=www.rugbypass.com |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Black Ferns|new_id=Victoria-Grant-BF-135|name=Victoria Grant (née Blackledge)|old_id=5139}}
{{Navboxes |title = Squads |list1 = {{New Zealand Squad 2010 Rugby World Cup}} {{New Zealand Women's 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens Squad}} {{New Zealand Squad 2006 Rugby World Cup}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grant, Victoria}} Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:New Zealand women's international rugby union players Category:New Zealand female rugby union players Category:New Zealand female rugby sevens players Category:New Zealand women's international rugby sevens players Category:New Zealand rugby union coaches Category:21st-century New Zealand sportswomen
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