This is INSANE!
Still reeling from the incredible news that the B&I Lions are going to have a women’s side for the first time in history.
How big is this in context?…
Well, back in 2018 I launched, produced and presented what was, at the time (& maybe still is??), the only cross-social media channel dedicated solely to the women’s game in the world. Back then I had almost unlimited access to clubs, players and even the national team. We covered the Premier 15s (as it was known then, now it’s called PWR), the Women’s Six Nations Rugby and even the first ever Women’s Barbarian’s Squad to play in England. It’s fair to say that I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle at times with less than 100 people at some games and next-to-no interest from any media outlet to cover the sport more regularly. But I could sense something about it that was untapped - it was filled will some of the best players and coaches in the world and damn, the games were EXCITING!
I grew the channel, attended a game a week (plus some training sessions if I could), got a sponsor for the YouTube channel and even wrote/reported on matches for the BBC website. I was in regular comms with a lot of media outlets and worked tirelessly to try to get it into the mainstream. But to no avail. It was clear that women’s rugby was low on the agenda.
Then, with the channel/socials growing rapidly, my first child decided then was the time he was going to arrive in our lives and I had a decision to make - concentrate on my ft job to earn money for my son or continue to try to grow the channel and sport. I think we know what decision I made…
It’s funny now that a lot of people I spoke to who weren’t interested/“couldn’t help” at the time are now making their own content or producing their own shows. But most importantly the sport has actually grown and grown to be regularly broadcast on TV, nations have introduced more pro contracts for the players…and now this landmark announcement.
Throughout my time running the channel I made some incredible memories and met some of the most amazing athletes and people (some who I’d still consider to be friends to this day). In the grand scheme of things my contribution in promoting/growing the sport to what it is today was minute (& it still has a way to go to be “equal” to the men’s game, but it’s getting there) but I like to think I helped… 🙂
And one things for sure, I couldn’t think of any better role models I’d want my little girl to grow up to be like.
(Receipts! Check out the comments to see some of my fave memories from my time in the game 👇)
A new era and just the start of an exciting new chapter in rugby.
A Lions Women’s team 🦁🇳🇿
#Lions2027 Royal London Howden