Tackling new challenges: Interview with Rachael Woosey

Growing up as part of a rugby-obsessed family in St Helens, Rachael Woosey has been scoring tries and braving scrums since the tender age of six, and has emerged as one of the sport’s brightest prospects in the Liverpool City Region. Since graduating from the West Park St Helens development programme, the free-scoring winger has been selected for the England women’s squad at under-18s and under-20s level, and was recently named in the England 7s National Talent Development Group, putting her in contention for the team’s summer test matches against Canada and a place in the full international set-up.

Your Move caught up with Rachael to discuss the development of women’s rugby, her hopes for the future and how representation at the 2016 Olympic Games will benefit the sport.

Interview by Mark Langshaw

You come from a rugby family in a town where it’s hugely popular, but how did you get into playing the sport yourself?

My dad took me down to a club one day and made me join in with the boys and ever since I’ve continued playing. The boys had games every week and I played with them until I was 11, but I eventually joined a girls’ team called Liverpool St Helens which competed regularly and things progressed from there.

I found rugby tough at first, but my dad came up with a rewards system to encourage me to play. He’d give me money for every tackle I made and every try I scored, but after that I realised I just loved the feeling of scoring for my team and feeling free on the pitch.

How difficult is it for young women in the Liverpool City Region to get into the sport?

I found it quite easy because I’ve always been around rugby people. Growing up in St Helens, there were always groups coming into my school to encourage girls to take up the sport. But I think it’s difficult for a lot of girls because of the stereotype that rugby is a man’s sport. Although there are still those who hold that belief, there are lots of people trying to encourage girls to get into rugby and a supportive network is in place to help them play if they want to.

West Park where I used to play started touch rugby sessions just for girls, so young women can learn the fundamentals of the sport. If they discover it’s for them, the club also hosts full rugby sessions for girls.

There’s a very good a set-up around the Liverpool City Region, but it could improve if there were more of these initiatives to get girls into playing rugby.

You’ve been selected for England at under-18 and under-20 level. How did your experiences at West Park help prepare you for this?

Just being in a team environment and being around such good players and supportive coaches helped me prepare for England duty and the level I’m playing at now. I went away to college to study for my A Levels and play rugby at the same time. The skills and fitness I developed at West Park helped me prepare for these challenges.

Juggling my studies with rugby training is a struggle because it’s so demanding on both sides. I have training sessions during the week on top of my lessons and exam revision. But if you’ve got the right mindset and want to do well in both, you can manage through physical and mental discipline.

How does it feel to represent your country in a major sport?

Every time I pull on the shirt it’s just an unreal feeling. I love being able to make my family proud, play alongside some of the best players in the county and work with the top coaches.

“There’s a very good setup around the liverpool city region, but it could improve if there were more initiatives to get girls into playing rugby.”

Earning a place in the England 7s National Talent Development Group is quite a feat. What was your reaction when you heard the news?

I was actually scared at the thought of joining up with the group, but I absolutely love it now. Training with the top players and best coaches is a fantastic feeling.

Being part of the development squad gives me the chance to break into the full England 7s squad if I work hard enough. Having a professional contract is my dream, but I’m just taking things one step at a time. It would mean everything to me to compete in a major tournament like the Olympics.

That has been my dream since I started playing and got into the Lancashire set-up. I tried for the North West team one year and didn’t get in. Missing out made me realise this is what I want to do and I started to believe I could go far.

Rugby makes its long-awaited return to the Olympic Games this summer. How beneficial do you think this will be for the sport?

I think it’s really important that rugby is included in the Olympics this year because it will help the sport move forward and increase its appeal as a worldwide game that anyone can take part in. I think seeing rugby at an event as prestigious as the Olympics will encourage more people of a younger age to get involved.

It will also benefit the women’s game. Now that female rugby players have started getting professional contracts and the sport is gaining more recognition, a lot of girls are wanting to play and the way things are going, more of them will have the opportunity to go professional.

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