Liza Bird Burgess and LJ Adams catch up with former England international flanker Maggie Alphonsi MBE.
Maggie, who is now a regular TV pundit and writes in The Daily Telegraph, was one of the world’s best players, with 74 caps for England and 28 tries. She helped England win a World Cup and seven consecutive Six Nations crowns.
In the pod, Bird and LJ ask Maggie (who Bird used to teach!) the following questions:
What did you want to be growing up?
You played a lot of different sports when you were growing up in school, what was it that attracted you to rugby and what kept you playing it?
When you look back at your rugby playing career, is there any particular advice you would have given to your younger self and to young players now aspiring to be international players?
What is your favourite rugby memory?
Talk us through your transition from a player to media professional; what support did you have? Were there any barriers and what advice would you give anyone wanting to pursue a role such as this?
What other aspirations do you have?
Where do you see women’s rugby going in the next five years?
What is the hardest lesson/ biggest disappointment when playing rugby and how did you overcome this?
Bird and LJ welcome Vicky Macqueen.
Vicky, who received a British Empire Medal for services to sport, was an England international with 34 caps, plus also representing England at 7s.
She has coach men's rugby with Hinkley, was director of women's rugby at Loughborough University, as well as coaching at Lichfield Women.
In 2015 she founded didi Rugby UK and now has franchises across the UK, New Zealand, Australia and Italy.
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Bird and LJ welcome Kate Burke, Lead Pathway Analyst with England Rugby. Kate has an MSc in Sports Analysis. After working in Wales with academy teams, she moved to the RFU in 2008, working with U18s and covering the men's teams. She then joined Bath for two years as head of analysis, before returning to the RFU to oversee analysis provision across the pathway, women's, 7's and referees' departments. MORE
Bird and LJ welcome Katie Sadleir, general manager Women's Rugby with World Rugby since 2016 and was recognised as one of the top 10 rugby influencers (Rugby World Magazine 2020).
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Liza “Bird” Burgess and LJ Lewis discuss a round of questions about the practicalities of the game. In this episode, they are with Sophie Bennett, the Bath team manager.
Sophie, having played and coached rugby herself, she was the WRU National Programme Co-ordinator. This role included team management of Wales U16s boys, Wales Women (XVs and 7s) and Cardiff Blues age groups. She was also team manager of Great Britain 7s. MORE
Liza “Bird” Burgess and LJ Lewis discuss a round of questions about the practicalities of the game. In this episode, they are with Worcester Warrior coaches, Jo Yapp and Sian Moore.
LJ's team Wasps had just beaten the Warriors, so there was a bit of fun to be had before they delved into the questions. MORE
Liza “Bird” Burgess and LJ Lewis discuss a round of questions about the practicalities of the game. In this episode, they are with Kim Oliver.
Kim is currently in her fourth season as head coach at Premiership team Bristol Women's team. She won 43 caps for England as a centre, worked as a community coach with Bath, spent two years in Gibraltar as a rugby development officer. MORE
