Student Chronicles Journey to Become Pro Rugby Player Like Louis Rees-Zammit
Isaac Marsh shares his daily journey to professional rugby through videos
Isaac Marsh, Louis Rees-Zammit, Cardiff, Rugby, Kaizen Rugby, Cheltenham
Cheltenham: Isaac Marsh is on a mission to become a pro rugby player. He used to play for Gloucester but is now at Cardiff Met. Alongside his coaching gig, he’s working hard to reach elite-level sports.
Marsh has been sharing his journey through daily videos on his platform, ‘Kaizen Rugby’. He started this after an injury at the season’s start, using it to document his rehab and ambitions.
He grew up in Cheltenham, starting rugby at five. He went through the Gloucester youth system and studied sports coaching at Hartpury College. His college roommates included Italy’s Stephen Varney and his best mate, Louis Rees-Zammit.
Marsh joked, “If you roommate with me, you’ll end up being an international rugby player!” He signed a four-year contract with Gloucester but faced setbacks due to a shoulder injury, leading him to leave halfway through the 2021/2022 season.
After meeting his girlfriend through Rees-Zammit, he moved to Cardiff. He finished his degree and decided to play rugby at Cardiff Met, which is close to home. He mentioned that getting into the team could help him get noticed by clubs.
Marsh had a tough time transitioning from professional rugby to regular jobs, which he didn’t enjoy. That’s when he started Kaizen Rugby, offering tailored coaching and mentorship.
He explained, “I thought about what skills I had and what I enjoyed.” He started making videos and found he was pretty good at it, even if he cringes at his earlier work now.
His video series shows the ups and downs of trying to become a pro. He’s learned that practice makes perfect, especially with editing. He’s also studying part-time for a Master’s in sports coaching, which allows him to focus on his coaching business.
Marsh faced a tough injury at the start of the season, which made it hard to create content. But documenting his journey helped him stay motivated during rehab. He’s played a few games since returning but feels he still has a long way to go.
He stays in touch with his rugby pals, Varney and Rees-Zammit, and considers Louis his best mate. Marsh is in his second year at Cardiff Met and is determined to make it in rugby, but he’s also open to a coaching career.
“Kaizen Rugby will always be there for me,” he said. He believes that even if he doesn’t make it pro, he still has time to pursue his dreams. He encourages others to share their aspirations and work hard for them.
Check out Kaizen Rugby by clicking here.