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.
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.
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.”
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
This game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to commentsColeman is gaawwwwnnn.
1 Go to commentsnext SA head coach?
3 Go to commentsGreat try by van Poortvliet.
1 Go to commentsThey have been cruelled by injuries but almost nobody (Sevu Reece and Fletcher Newell big exceptions) has played above himself which regularly happened before. Surely Scott Robertson had maintained the recruitment programme and it looks like a reasonable squad. Last in this competition will stall a lot of careers. Penny seems likeable. But it’s not enough even though this was better. We haven’t been good enough and it’s not helped by the “it’s been 15 years since… “etc “after nearly every match. Seems somehow a soft gifting of something once valuable. Kieran Read giving comments last week almost choked describing the easy surrender of possession by the forwards. I’d love to think that the senior players some of whom are back can show enough pride in the jersey to test the Blues next week.
3 Go to commentsWho will Joe select for the back three with so many in form candidates? Just hope he doesn’t get shafted like Dave Rennie and to a lesser extent Deans.
8 Go to commentsAlways reluctant to blame a coach when losses rack up, but Penney must go. The backline is dysfunctional and the coach must carry the can. No cohesion, no idea and in many cases, minimal skill. The trains out of Roma St depart faster than the ball from Crusaders’ set pieces. Wouldn’t be surprised if the forwards went on strike.
3 Go to commentsAdding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
8 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to commentsThe Sharks’ 2nd team maybe?
1 Go to comments‘radical’
1 Go to commentsCome back to Christchurch Robbie, please!
1 Go to commentsI think there is zero chance Sam Cane will be selected for another Test. There is simply no point except sentimentality. Razor is not sentimental- ask Wyatt Crocket. Razor is a ruthless selector
5 Go to comments