Women's Rugby: Flanker Maggie Alphonsi welcomes Premiership Rugby initiative

Maggie Alphonsi has welcomed Premiership Rugby’s initiative designed to boost the presence of people from under-represented communities in rugby.

Maggie Alphonsi has welcomed Premiership Rugby’s initiative designed to boost the presence of people from under-represented communities in rugby.

A two-year-programme - funded through a £600,000 grant from the Equality and Human Rights Commission - is designed to increase the number of women and girls, particularly from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds, playing rugby.

And Alphonsi, who retired from international rugby after England’s Women’s World Cup triumph last month, believes the scheme can help to increase diversity in women’s rugby.

“I think it’s brilliant and it’s great to see that level of support being put into rugby,” Alphonsi told Sky Sports.

“The more we can support females getting into the sport - particularly from different ethnic minorities - the better.

“It will only help increase awareness of the sport to communities that are not aware of it initially and through the support of Premiership clubs it will help reach the wider population.

“Growing up where I did rugby was not a very popular sport. There were not many black or minority ethnic individuals at all really.

“At the moment they probably don’t see it as a real opportunity. If we can open up those channels to give adults and young people that pathway then I’m sure they will get into the sport.”

Alphonsi was the only BME individual in England’s squad at the World Cup and the 30-year-old hopes her success can motivate people from similar backgrounds to pursue a career in the sport. 

“I’d like to think that I can be a role model to all of the ethnic minorities out there,” the Saracens Women flanker said.

“I showed that I could go on and represent my country at the highest level and hopefully that can inspire other young players coming through.

“The funny thing is when you are on the pitch you’re not really aware of it. You are just another person playing rugby, but it’s nice to know that there are young girls and boys out there looking at me and thinking ‘I’d like to try and do what Maggie Alphonsi has done’.”