Rugby
Having played rugby on and off since 2001, in every forward position, I've found myself writing about it quite a lot. It started when I started writing the weekly match reports as OUWRFC Press Secretary in my second year at university and later, the novelty of a woman who loved rugby was enough to get me my first article published in the Guardian! You can read that piece and my other rugby blog posts on this page.
My passion for rugby began in my first term at university when I was recruited for the Christ Church, Oxford women's team, which I went on to captain for many years. I eventually led a joint ChristChurch/Balliol team to victory in Cuppers (intercollegiate competition) in 2008. Concurrently, I played for the University second team, the Panthers, from 2002 to 2004, and then the Blues team from 2004-2006, during which time we beat Cambridge in two successive Varsity matches, winning 20-0 in 2005 and 35-7 in 2006. After University, I played for Hampstead Ladies c. 2008-2011, but then life events (mostly babies) got in the way (in the best way), and I thought my rugby playing days were over until in January 2019 I made a come back with Shotton Steel Ladies RFC, at the advanced age of 36! They've been so welcoming and I was thrilled to score my first try in over a decade in October 2019 (possibly not that unusual a frequency for a prop forward?). It was slightly unfortunate that I sustained a cut over my eye in the process, a week before I was due to record my Black Tudors lecture for Gresham College (can you spot the remnants of the swelling under the makeup I caked on?). It really was a great time to get back into the game though, as I became eligible to be part of the Major Stanley's Women's XV invitational side in their historic first match against the current Oxford Women's Blues team. Although we lost 10-14, it was a privilege to play alongside some amazing former Blues players, and I think I stand a good chance of retaining the record as the oldest player to ever play the fixture!
I'm proud to have helped share the rugby love by using my brain as well as my brawn. Back in 2011-12 I carried out research for the Rugby Football Foundation into the positive effects of playing rugby on behaviour and academic achievement, some of which was presented to the Parliamentary Education Committee, and fed into the launch of the RFU's All Schools programme. Part of the legacy programme for the 2015 World Cup, the programme has since succeeded in introducing the game into a total of 750 additional state secondary schools, bringing the joy of rugby to over a million children who didn't have the chance to play it before.
My passion for rugby began in my first term at university when I was recruited for the Christ Church, Oxford women's team, which I went on to captain for many years. I eventually led a joint ChristChurch/Balliol team to victory in Cuppers (intercollegiate competition) in 2008. Concurrently, I played for the University second team, the Panthers, from 2002 to 2004, and then the Blues team from 2004-2006, during which time we beat Cambridge in two successive Varsity matches, winning 20-0 in 2005 and 35-7 in 2006. After University, I played for Hampstead Ladies c. 2008-2011, but then life events (mostly babies) got in the way (in the best way), and I thought my rugby playing days were over until in January 2019 I made a come back with Shotton Steel Ladies RFC, at the advanced age of 36! They've been so welcoming and I was thrilled to score my first try in over a decade in October 2019 (possibly not that unusual a frequency for a prop forward?). It was slightly unfortunate that I sustained a cut over my eye in the process, a week before I was due to record my Black Tudors lecture for Gresham College (can you spot the remnants of the swelling under the makeup I caked on?). It really was a great time to get back into the game though, as I became eligible to be part of the Major Stanley's Women's XV invitational side in their historic first match against the current Oxford Women's Blues team. Although we lost 10-14, it was a privilege to play alongside some amazing former Blues players, and I think I stand a good chance of retaining the record as the oldest player to ever play the fixture!
I'm proud to have helped share the rugby love by using my brain as well as my brawn. Back in 2011-12 I carried out research for the Rugby Football Foundation into the positive effects of playing rugby on behaviour and academic achievement, some of which was presented to the Parliamentary Education Committee, and fed into the launch of the RFU's All Schools programme. Part of the legacy programme for the 2015 World Cup, the programme has since succeeded in introducing the game into a total of 750 additional state secondary schools, bringing the joy of rugby to over a million children who didn't have the chance to play it before.
Only the Ball should Bounce, FindRugby Now.com, 20 September 2012.
Can you imagine playing rugby without a sports bra? No, me neither – but amazingly, that’s what women used to do. Until recently, when some medieval “breast-bags”- yes that’s the technical term – were found behind a wardrobe in Austria, the bra was believed to be a modern invention, following the demise of the corset.
However, the modern sports bra was not invented until 1977, when a student in Vermont sewed two jock straps together in an effort to support her aching breasts when she went jogging.
This means that the women who played rugby before 1977, and possibly well into the 80s, were playing without what most of us now consider an essential piece of equipment. more
However, the modern sports bra was not invented until 1977, when a student in Vermont sewed two jock straps together in an effort to support her aching breasts when she went jogging.
This means that the women who played rugby before 1977, and possibly well into the 80s, were playing without what most of us now consider an essential piece of equipment. more
A military approach to Rugby: eliminate fears, FindRugbyNow.com, 5 June 2012.
A rugby match is a lot like a battle. You size up the enemy, don your body armour and go forth onto the field of combat. You put your body on the line for your comrades and either enjoy victory or suffer defeat.
In the course of researching a programme on Future Wars for BBC World Service’s The Forum, I came across a fascinating article by Sally Adee about cranial stimulation, a new technology being tested by the US military. When she is fitted with a “thinking cap” which runs 9 volts of electricity through her brain, her ability to shoot is vastly improved. Sally explains:
“The 20 minutes I spent hitting targets while electricity coursed through my brain were far from transcendent. I only remember feeling like I’d just had an excellent cup of coffee, but without the caffeine jitters. I felt clear-headed and like myself, just sharper. Calmer. Without fear and without doubt. From there on, I just spent the time waiting for a problem to appear so that I could solve it.”
Although this technology is not battle-ready, and any attempt to introduce it would provoke much debate, it is still fascinating to think about what we could achieve physically if we were able to tune out all our doubts and fears. And what affect would an electric scrum-cap, if you will, have on our performance on that other battle field: the rugby pitch? more
In the course of researching a programme on Future Wars for BBC World Service’s The Forum, I came across a fascinating article by Sally Adee about cranial stimulation, a new technology being tested by the US military. When she is fitted with a “thinking cap” which runs 9 volts of electricity through her brain, her ability to shoot is vastly improved. Sally explains:
“The 20 minutes I spent hitting targets while electricity coursed through my brain were far from transcendent. I only remember feeling like I’d just had an excellent cup of coffee, but without the caffeine jitters. I felt clear-headed and like myself, just sharper. Calmer. Without fear and without doubt. From there on, I just spent the time waiting for a problem to appear so that I could solve it.”
Although this technology is not battle-ready, and any attempt to introduce it would provoke much debate, it is still fascinating to think about what we could achieve physically if we were able to tune out all our doubts and fears. And what affect would an electric scrum-cap, if you will, have on our performance on that other battle field: the rugby pitch? more
The Rules to Rugby According to Lynx, FindRugbyNow.com, 20 April 2012.
Don’t be fooled by the reassuring 1950s public service announcement style voiceover: this video teaches you very little about rugby and a lot more about how some people perceive women’s rugby.
This video, which purports to explain the laws (laws not rules, Lynx!) of rugby with the help of some scantily clad models, went viral when released during the 2011 Rugby World Cup with over 1.5m internet hits in 1 week. It was created in Sydney by the Soap Creative ad agency for Lynx, the deodorant brand famous for its raunchy ads. They may have got the idea from this equally offensiveguide to performing CPR.
The voice-over tells us that rugby gives the “opportunity for individuals or every shape, size and ability to participate”. This is indeed one of the best aspects of the game, but not one represented here. The models are all of exactly the same body shape and size and do not look strong enough to survive 80 minutes on a pitch!
The video does little to educate the viewer about good rugby techniques- the scrum is almost vertical as are the body positions going into the ruck and maul- you would have thought the video directors would have liked to get these women bending over more not less!
Neither are these women properly attired to play rugby. Their disproportionately-large breasts do not appear to be benefiting from the support of a decent sports bra. Exercising without one for long periods of time can strain the elasticity and cause sagging (which might bring some of these model’s careers to an untimely end). Also, while jumping in the lineout, there is every chance that their breasts might escape from their meagre confinement altogether (but then maybe that’s the idea)?
I concede that one aspect of the video has an element of accuracy- the oiled- up skin reminds me of a ploy we used to use at Oxford: before a match we would liberally apply Vaseline to our legs – partly to keep warm on bitter winter afternoons, but also so that when the opposition grabbed us in a tackle, they would find it hard to keep hold of our slippery skin! more
This video, which purports to explain the laws (laws not rules, Lynx!) of rugby with the help of some scantily clad models, went viral when released during the 2011 Rugby World Cup with over 1.5m internet hits in 1 week. It was created in Sydney by the Soap Creative ad agency for Lynx, the deodorant brand famous for its raunchy ads. They may have got the idea from this equally offensiveguide to performing CPR.
The voice-over tells us that rugby gives the “opportunity for individuals or every shape, size and ability to participate”. This is indeed one of the best aspects of the game, but not one represented here. The models are all of exactly the same body shape and size and do not look strong enough to survive 80 minutes on a pitch!
The video does little to educate the viewer about good rugby techniques- the scrum is almost vertical as are the body positions going into the ruck and maul- you would have thought the video directors would have liked to get these women bending over more not less!
Neither are these women properly attired to play rugby. Their disproportionately-large breasts do not appear to be benefiting from the support of a decent sports bra. Exercising without one for long periods of time can strain the elasticity and cause sagging (which might bring some of these model’s careers to an untimely end). Also, while jumping in the lineout, there is every chance that their breasts might escape from their meagre confinement altogether (but then maybe that’s the idea)?
I concede that one aspect of the video has an element of accuracy- the oiled- up skin reminds me of a ploy we used to use at Oxford: before a match we would liberally apply Vaseline to our legs – partly to keep warm on bitter winter afternoons, but also so that when the opposition grabbed us in a tackle, they would find it hard to keep hold of our slippery skin! more
Why (more) women should play rugby, The Periscope Post, 20 March 2012.
England vs. France at the Stade De France.
England won the 6 Nations Grand Slam last weekend after beating Ireland 23-6. Think you read that wrong? That’s because I’m talking about the women’s game. In fact the women’s team have won the tournament every year for the last seven years. England has the best women’s rugby team in the world, save theBlack Ferns (New Zealand). But, just as no women were nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, very few people bother to follow our women’s rugby team either.
The French at least seem to be one step ahead on this: they showed the England- France women’s game on the big screen at the Stade de France before the men’s match on 11 March and their no.10, Lionel Beauxis is engaged to the women’s captain, scrum-half Marie-Alice Yahe. The French press describe them as the ‘glamour couple’ of French rugby.
Which somewhat contradicts the popular view that all women’s rugby players are lesbians. Though so what if they are? At least they can be open about it, rather than feeling closeted or suicidal like the gay men who play rugby or football.
In fact over 15,000 women and girls play rugby in England. It is increasingly being played in schools. And it should be. Let’s face it: netball is boring- you aren’t allowed to run with the ball! And rugby’s physicality forces girls to think about their bodies in a new way. You need to be fit and strong on the pitch. If you’re focused on building muscle for the scrum or sprinting for the try line, you won’t be as worried about going on a crash diet or be thinking of your body as being primarily for displaying trendy clothes or attracting boys. Even better, the physical element and supportive teamwork makes for amazing camaraderie and bonding which builds friendships beyond the pitch. more
This article was also published on scrumhalfconnection.com and findrugbynow.com.
The French at least seem to be one step ahead on this: they showed the England- France women’s game on the big screen at the Stade de France before the men’s match on 11 March and their no.10, Lionel Beauxis is engaged to the women’s captain, scrum-half Marie-Alice Yahe. The French press describe them as the ‘glamour couple’ of French rugby.
Which somewhat contradicts the popular view that all women’s rugby players are lesbians. Though so what if they are? At least they can be open about it, rather than feeling closeted or suicidal like the gay men who play rugby or football.
In fact over 15,000 women and girls play rugby in England. It is increasingly being played in schools. And it should be. Let’s face it: netball is boring- you aren’t allowed to run with the ball! And rugby’s physicality forces girls to think about their bodies in a new way. You need to be fit and strong on the pitch. If you’re focused on building muscle for the scrum or sprinting for the try line, you won’t be as worried about going on a crash diet or be thinking of your body as being primarily for displaying trendy clothes or attracting boys. Even better, the physical element and supportive teamwork makes for amazing camaraderie and bonding which builds friendships beyond the pitch. more
This article was also published on scrumhalfconnection.com and findrugbynow.com.
Why I Love...Rugby, The Guardian, 20 September 2004, G2, p. 23.
I love the mud. I love the hot shower after the cold training session. I'm amused by the expression that passes over men's faces when I tell them I play rugby. And that I'm a hooker. Which is the best position in the scrum for a loudmouth like me. You have to boss it up, tell them all what to do, then lean on your props and get that ball back swiftly.I love tackling and bringing the other girl down, even though I'm smaller than her, because that's actually an advantage as it doesn't take me long to get to her knees. This is a legitimate outlet for the aggression that hasn't been displayed since I got too old to fight with my sisters over sweets.
I love the shape of the ball. Easy to cradle in your arms as you go into contact, big enough for me to see even when both contact lenses have been knocked out.
I love the way my body aches for days after a match, a sore reminder that I've actually done something with it. I was less pleased when I broke my collar bone, but it's mended now, and I can't wait to get back on the pitch. While some girls live in their jeans or trackies, I show off my hard-earned bruises in miniskirts, and eat as much as I like. There is an urge to dress extra-girly after a match.
There is also a tradition of getting completely wasted after a match. Singing drunken songs and playing I Have Never with like-minded girls is another rugby-related joy.
For me, the girl who used to get picked last for rounders at school, who according to my dad "can't run, can't catch", rugby has been welcoming. It's a sport that accommodates a variety of body types and skills - you need tall people, fast people, strong people - all have their place. Nothing beats the bursting pride of being selected to represent my university, of donning the dark blue shirt and running on to the pitch. Apart from the feeling of scoring a try. Or winning the match.
I love the shape of the ball. Easy to cradle in your arms as you go into contact, big enough for me to see even when both contact lenses have been knocked out.
I love the way my body aches for days after a match, a sore reminder that I've actually done something with it. I was less pleased when I broke my collar bone, but it's mended now, and I can't wait to get back on the pitch. While some girls live in their jeans or trackies, I show off my hard-earned bruises in miniskirts, and eat as much as I like. There is an urge to dress extra-girly after a match.
There is also a tradition of getting completely wasted after a match. Singing drunken songs and playing I Have Never with like-minded girls is another rugby-related joy.
For me, the girl who used to get picked last for rounders at school, who according to my dad "can't run, can't catch", rugby has been welcoming. It's a sport that accommodates a variety of body types and skills - you need tall people, fast people, strong people - all have their place. Nothing beats the bursting pride of being selected to represent my university, of donning the dark blue shirt and running on to the pitch. Apart from the feeling of scoring a try. Or winning the match.
