Listen to Players

Meet Frankie. She plays rugby and is active on social media promoting rugby helping to spread the word using her passion for the sport. Frankie tells us what she'd like coaches and clubs to know.

Frankie plays rugby and uses her passion to help promote the game

I always used to go and watch my Dad play and coach rugby. When I was 5 and at school, we spoke about what we wanted to do when we grew up. I said that I wanted to play rugby like Dad.

I came out of school and told Dad what we’d been talking about and he took me to my 1st training session that weekend.

Talking about rugby online is amazing. I was the only girl in my rugby team and at school for a very long time, and had some very negative experiences because of it.

I wanted to do something to stop it happening to others, and help grow the sport that I love so much.

I get to speak to so many amazing people about rugby, women in sports and shine a light on how amazing rugby is for girls and women physically, mentally and socially.

I’ve had some amazing experiences because of it as well, which is incredible.

It definitely keeps Dad very busy, organising things, putting my ideas into a plan, recording, editing, posting. But he loves it too!

I just hope I’m making difference and inspire some girls to start playing rugby.

Rugby training is my chance to be with friends and forget about school and everything else going on. I also love the physicality and taking out some frustration.

My best memory of playing rugby is definitely my 1st training session with The Girls Rugby Club. Not only did I get to meet and be coached by Rachael Burford and Rocky Clarke, but it was also the 1st time I’m been a part of an all girls training session, and coached by women.

It was an incredible feeling, and made me feel like I belonged there.

What Frankie wants coaches, role models and clubs to know

I think that a great coach is someone that takes the time to understand and know the players. What works best for them as a group, and individually.

They have to be approachable and respectful of everyone on the team. They need to be just as excited as the players, giving them energy when they are running out.

I’d love for coaches of young girls in mixed teams to know that girls and boys are capable of exactly the same thing. Girls aren’t delicate little princesses that can’t cut it with the boys.

I’d also love to see a better understanding of girls as they grow up. I’d like coaches to know of how our periods can affect us, but not be afraid of it.

I also want better prevention training against ACL injuries that can affect girls more than boys.

I’d like to see more girls at training. More girls playing, more girls coaching, more girls reffing, more girls involved in everything to do with rugby.

I help coach and referee my little brother’s football team U9s. Their approach to me as a girl has changed for the better because they see me a coach/ref and not just a girl.

It shouldn’t be the case, but girls need a chance to prove themselves. Once they’ve done it, there’s no questioning their ability. But, as I say, it shouldn’t have to be like that.

Rugby needs better investment from grassroots up. This includes increased visibility, promotion and sponsorship to get it in front of more people.

Rugby NEEDS to be available for girls in EVERY SCHOOL. If the school has a boys team, there’s no reason to not have a girls team.

There also needs to be continued encouragement for girls/women to become coaches and refs.

A great rugby club is a place that accepts and caters for everyone. No one team or age group is better or more valuable than any other.

Clubs should invests in men’s and women’s teams, and celebrates everyone’s achievements equally.

A great club is one that builds a community that looks after one and other, and welcomes everyone

Every women’s player I’ve met has been a great role model.
They need to lead by example, pave the way for those behind them, whilst respecting those before them.

It's important they speak about the issues they faced and how they dealt with them.
Remember that they were  young girl once and being exactly what they needed when they were young.

With thanks to Frankie’s Dad, Mark, too!

---

Coaching Care Creativity now has paid subscriptions for people who want to and are able to support the publication. Plans are available for £5 a month or £50 a year.