My sandwich girl moment as I call it came during the 2015 six nations and I was commentating at Twickenham for a women’s international game that was taking place immediately after the men’s fixture. At Twickenham there is a small press room where journalists and commentators can assemble, chat to each other and grab a sandwich or two and a tea or coffee. I was in the press room when I was asked by a male journalist if I could get some more sandwiches. Of course, there could not have been any other reason that I, a female, was in there other than to be re-stocking sandwiches and topping up drinks!!! I found where they were storing fresh sandwiches and passed the same gentleman a platter; I then proceeded to have a very loud conversation about my England captaincy with a journalist I did know and the look on the man’s face was priceless!! Funny but unfortunately not surprising.
When I became captain this also meant that on a couple of occasions I was allowed in to the sacred very male world of the England training home at Pennyhill Park. My main recollection really was how much a toasted panini was costing me while I was having lunch waiting for Steve Borthwick, the then England men’s captain, before a joint interview. The polar opposite worlds of men’s rugby and women’s rugby symbolised very aptly by a couple of pieces of toast, given a posh name, and a salad garnish.
Whilst writing my book I ask myself that if I had a pre-birth super natural power would I have ensured I was born male? That I may have been famous and owned a bank balance significantly larger than my own? And the answer is no. Not because I don’t want to be male but because I do like to be a woman. I liked being a girl when I was growing up and I like being a woman now. I also feel proud of the impact that I have had on the development of women’s rugby and women’s sport, as an individual and as part of a successful squad in my playing days. Things are improving and although we are a long way off equality we are moving in the right direction. I recently became the first female to MC the official post-match function after a men’s international rugby match at Twickenham, something I am really proud of. Something that is a common theme throughout elite sport is the journey that is made to get to that level; it is always a journey of small steps rather than one giant leap. We are doing that with women’s sport, continuing to make small steps; always looking up; always looking forward. The ideal is that everyone has an opportunity to chose regardless of gender.
My book is continuing to progress and I am now at 60% funded which I am very pleased with but that also means that I still have 40% to achieve. Thank you for your very generous support so far and please do continue to share!