Michaela Staniford believes the London Sevens is the perfect platform to promote the women's game.
England captain Michaela Staniford believes the Marriott London Sevens is the perfect platform to promote the women's game.
The women's team, which has now appointed Barry Maddocks as their first full-time head coach, have impressed in the two legs of the IRB Challenge Cup so far - finishing as runners-up in Dubai and then winning in Hong Kong.
England now head to their home leg full of confidence and with more than 100,000 set to watch the action at Twickenham this weekend - with the HSBC Sevens World Series running concurrently - Staniford believes the side has the perfect chance to impress.
"This tournament is massive for us," Wasps back Staniford told
Sky Sports.
"It gives us a chance to show how far the women's game has developed and that is what we - as individuals and as a unit - have to show.
"We played in Dubai in front of 30-40,000 and we played in Hong Kong in front of 30-40,000 again and that for us was amazing. So to come to London and play in front of such a large support will be new to us but it won't be a distraction. It will give us the chance to showcase what the women can do and that will be a massive opportunity for us.
"The media support has been fabulous and that is what we need. We need to change ignorance and we need to change the stereotypes as a lot of people have this negative impression when it comes to women playing what has traditional been a male-dominated sport.
Phenomenal
"It needs to happen, though. But with so many people seeing us play with the athleticism and skill that we have means, we have a fantastic opportunity.
"After the 2010 World Cup the support and following we gained has been fantastic - and it will only increase with London."
Although Staniford's attention is currently on the sevens code, the 25-year-old has previously had a successful XVs career.
Staniford has already racked up a half-century of appearances - scoring 22 tries - while she played a key role in the side's Grand Slam this year and appeared at two World Cups.
However with Sevens having been accepted into the Olympics, Staniford is admits it would be a "phenomenal" to lead the side out in Brazil in 2016.
"I think we are in a very strong position," she said. "We have been successful in the Europeans and on the women's circuit, but obviously it is going to be different when it comes to GB and how many England girls are in there.
"But ultimately to be an Olympian it is the pinnacle. Everyone looks at the Olympics as the number one global sporting event and to be involved in that would be phenomenal.
"However there is a long way to go before then, we have got the Europeans, Commonwealths and World Cups all before then so at the moment we are looking at the short-term with London and the Europeans."
Join the 70s Disco at the Marriott London Sevens! Tickets are now available for the ninth and final leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series this weekend on 12th & 13th May 2012, with weekend passes starting from £30, single day tickets from £18 and kids tickets at £5 each day. Tickets will be available in advance until midday on Friday 11th May, and then in person from the RFU Ticket Office across the weekend. Visit www.rfu.com/londonsevens for further details. (Tickets are subject to availability and booking fees apply).
