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Breaking barriers and earning respect - Alphonsi wants to use her journey to inspire new talent
Rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi knows what it takes as a female sports star to break through “barriers” and she wants to use her profile as a role model to inspire the next generation of talent.
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Alphonsi came to national prominence as part of the England women’s side that celebrated World Cup glory in 2014 and, after a foray into the world of shot put, is now a highly respected pundit.
But her journey to become part of rugby immortality was not a straight-forward ride.
A lack of coverage and funding for women’s sports while she was attempting to break into the game, coupled with what Alphonsi described as a “stigma” attached to female participation at the time meant she had several challenges to overcome.
Alphonsi, speaking on behalf of Land Rover during a HITZ session at The Stoop to celebrate International Women’s Day, told Omnisport: “I had a lot of barriers. I guess there weren’t many women or girls playing the sport so it was a big challenge trying to get that level of respect being a female.
“Also, I grew up in a council estate, so the social-economic situation was different to others that played sports. I didn’t have large amounts of funds, it was hard financially supporting myself. Mum didn’t necessarily understand rugby or understand how it would help me get a job so those things had an impact, getting to training, getting to matches was very, very hard.
“Just generally women and girls playing sport I think people had a stigma around it. When you’re a young girl, not just a young girl, any young child, you start to think about body image – I had concerns about having muscle and so on. Nowadays what’s great is that there are a lot more role models out there so young girls are inspired by the fact of being athletic and strong, it’s not a bad thing – which I probably didn’t have that when I was growing up.”
#InternationalWomensDay is almost here! Join us in celebrating those who #PressforProgress around the world for women's equality https://t.co/b116tT37tT #IWD2018 pic.twitter.com/ot5MEyo5M6
— Women's Day (@womensday) March 6, 2018
Land Rover is a key partner of HITZ; a national programme that uses the power of rugby to inspire and motivate young adults to get back into education or employment.
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Alphonsi is hoping to use her status in the game to inspire those taking part in the programme, particularly as such a scheme was not in place when she was a similar age.
“When I was coming through at the age of 13, 14 there was absolutely nothing available and I found the sport by chance because my P.E. [physical education] teacher, a female rugby player, suggested I go to my local rugby club, which is Saracens,” she added.
“So, the young girls are incredibly fortunate to have a scheme like this because it gives them an entry point into the sport.
“The HITZ programme is very much working with young people and helping them become resilient, self-reliant and giving them confidence in education, normal working life and just to help them really, and using rugby to do that.”
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Had a great morning with @LandRoverRugby and @SaracensHitz @HarlequinsHITZ @LIRFCHITZ at Twickenham Stoop. So inspiring to see the impact rugby can have on so many young people's lives ?
— Maggie Alphonsi MBE (@MaggieAlphonsi) February 15, 2018
With Thursday marking International Women’s Day, Alphonsi is encouraged by the breakthroughs in terms of coverage and attention in women’s sport in England.
She believes the success of the likes of Jessica Ennis-Hill at the 2012 Olympics in London, as well as World Cup wins for England women in rugby and cricket have done much to boost the profile of female stars.
“I think there has been a change in attitudes. Not just from the [Rugby] World Cup, I think probably from the 2012 Olympics with Jessica Ennis-Hill, Rebecca Adlington and so on,” she said.
“I think now young girls are seeing that being young, athletic and strong is not a bad thing. I think they’re inspired by that, then seeing us win the World Cup in 2014 and the women’s cricket team winning the World Cup in 2017 and the England netball team doing well, England’s women’s football team are doing well, so those things have helped change the attitude because there’s more coverage and more role models generally out there to look up to.
“That’s all had a big difference because there has been a change in attitude, not just in sport but in general.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Over 80% of the World Cup squad are over 30” No it isn’t lol
1 Go to commentsTyrel Lomax the best AB prop since Carl Hayman. Absolutely destroyed the Boks in RWC Final and is monstering allcomers in Super this season. Should be a monster battle vs touring Poms, always deliver a power pack.
1 Go to commentsEye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
42 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
42 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
42 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
13 Go to comments