The Women’s Sports Alliance recently supported the Canterbury x Sports Aid athletes with a media day. The day acted as one of the first media training opportunities of the athletes’ career. The Women’s Sports Alliance designed the story boards, formed the creative direction, undertook the interviews and produced the films. All whist walking the athletes through the best practices and some hints and tricks for thriving in front of camera. As part of that session, Rugby Player Evie Addy talked to our Founder, Jordan Guard about what the rugby community means to her.

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This year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup will see established stars take centre stage in New Zealand, but the event will also see new heroes will emerge and together they will inspired the sport’s next generation of talented teenagers.

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Professionalism – in the form of professional contracts – was only introduced in women’s rugby union three years ago, but through the International Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and Canterbury record levels of investment are also being funnelled into youth development.

 

Among those selected for additional support is England’s 18-year-old Evie Addy from Barnsley, who has long been identified as an exciting prospect after first appearing in an international U18 training camp at the age of 15.

 

She has gone on to represent England at the inaugural Six Nations U18 Women’s Festival and the Gloucester-Hartpury loosehead prop dreams of one day competing at a World Cup herself.

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Q – How would you describe yourself as a rugby player?

 

“I have a little bit of a skillset which is quite different for my position and I quite like to do the little details really well,” she tells the WSA.

 

“I used to play a bit of football, so I have a kicking background which isn’t normal for someone in my position and I also have quite good handling and passing skills for similar to what a back would have.”

 

Q – What is it like as a sport to be involved with?

 

I love rugby because it kind of caters for everyone, no matter your skillset, position, size, literally anyone can play rugby. Now the women’s game has grown so much more it’s so much easier for girls to go and play rugby too.

 

“I would describe it is as like a family. Even at small clubs where there aren’t many people everyone knows one another, who you are, asks how you’re getting on and you feel the support.

 

“Then when we do international events, we’ll sometimes get videos from the senior team players who wish us look and it shows that they know who we are and we’re not forgotten about.”

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Q – What is your proudest moment in the sport so far?

 

“Playing for England in the U18’s 6 nations in Scotland against France and then Ireland, it was a great experience.

 

“Putting on the England shirt, it was massive. We never really had the opportunity to do it before in the U18’s but we’ve been waiting for so long and when it finally happened, we were really ready for it and just so proud.

 

“It was an amazing feeling to hear the anthem and my mum was in the crowd crying.”

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Q – How important do you feel it is for young people to have the opportunity to participate in sport from a young age? Like through school PE lessons or out of school classes.

 

“I think it’s really important for young people to get involved in sport, particularly for the social element.

 

“I still know and speak to people I used to play football with at primary school and then you meet others from different teams.

 

“Even though I don’t play football anymore, I learned things from the football coaches I worked with and I bring that into what I do today.

 

“I can still remember my first PE teacher and how amazing he was and it just takes away from the pressure of doing all the education. Obviously, that’s important, but it gives you a break and allows you to learn something as key as sport.

 

“I just feel like the experiences make you so much better as a person even if you don’t do sport when you’re older.”

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Q – What is your dream and target for the future?

 

“I’d like to become someone that teams have to analyse before a game and think ‘she does this really well, so how can we stop here from doing that?’ So someone who’s a bit of a threat to the opposition.

 

“I am quite excited to go to university and play in that environment as well as try with the Gloucester senior stuff as well.

 

“They’re both different standards, one is a bit more social and the ‘fun’ side, then there’s the more professional side to try and advance my rugby even more, because my dream is to play at the highest level I can.”

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Q – What has rugby taught you about yourself and what message would you have for young girls out there considering whether they should try the sport for the first time?

 

“It’s taught me to be disciplined and also how to talk to people and gel with people I’d not speak to normally,” Addy tells the WSA.

 

“I would say to young girls that you never know unless you try it and if you don’t like it when you try it then that’s fine. There’s something for everyone though and if you don’t try it you might regret it so definitely go for it!”