Maggie Alphonsi Interview

Maggie Alphonsi tells us a little about herself, who inspired her and how she got to be IRB Women’s Rugby Player of the Year 2006/7.

How has your career developed so far…?

Maggie attended Salisbury Secondary School in Enfield and was originally primarily focussed on athletics with natural talent for the shot putt and discus. One of her PE teachers, Lisa Burgess played rugby for Saracens Ladies and also internationally for Wales. She saw Maggie’s raw talent and encouraged her at the age of 14 to give rugby a go. She was converted and played for Sarries youth sides and their U18 side. Initially she played in the backs and made the Sarries Ladies second team at senior level at 18. Quickly her skills, speed and strength were recognised and she made the 1st XV senior squad.

Things developed quickly for Maggie from there, she was drafted into the England academy side(like an U21’s). Her first game at representative level was against Ireland and she realised she had a taste for it. Maggie was then involved with the Super 4’s, the feeder system for ladies rugby to full representative honours. The top 44 players are selected from the 4 competing sides to make up the England A and full England side. Maggie was selected for England A and continued at centre for that couple of years.

At the grand old age of 19 Maggie was selected for full representative honours and was capped in the England side against Canada in the Churchill Cup (the North American tournament that runs parallel to the men’s competition). She scored on her debut but then she admits that things stagnated from there and she lost a bit of form and didn’t get selected. The England management advised Maggie that she should consider a change of position from centre to openside flanker. She has not looked back and admits ”Playing flanker really suited my game and I can’t believe how things have developed for me, it just sort of clicked for me”. The master of the understatement, Maggie now has 19 caps to her name, is an integral part of the England side and was recently voted the IRB(international Rugby Board) player of the year.

Maggie is currently completing a Masters in Sports Psychology at Roehampton University and works as a Rugby Development Officer for Women’s rugby in and around Enfield, Barnet, Waltham Forrest and Hackney area. She loves being able to champion rugby and is keen to see other women follow her lead.

Are there other sports men and women who inspire you?

Maggie told us that she likes to look at other sport for inspiration and their attitude. Lance Armstrong and Paula Radcliffe were two names that tripped off the tongue for their ability to keep going. In Paula’s case the Maggie is confident that she will get her Olympic recognition and medal still.

Maggie also rates Mohammad Ali and Andre Agassi as two greats who have made a massive impact to their respective sports. “ I also think that Denise Lewis was brilliant and really rated her” Maggie said.

Quick Fire Round:

Pet Hate: People who are not polite
Person you would most like to meet in history: Mohammad Ali
Person you would be happy stranded on a desert Island with: Richie Macaw, the All Black Flanker, “ He would be pretty cool to talk to and the same position of course!”

If you could be a superhero which one would it be and why?

“The female version of Superman, I would get to wear cool boots and show off my underwear and of course I would be able to fly as well”

We grant you three majorsporty wishes:

1. No war, more peace
2. More women’s sport on TV (and at sensible viewing times)
3. More fun, we should all stop taking life so seriously

On a serious note…Britain is only about 25% active as a nation (*results from a recent Sport England survey)! How do you think this can be addressed?

Despite her background in sports development for women’s rugby Maggie was surprised and disappointed to hear that the UK participation levels were so low. She sees a big problem is that during education then people seem to drop off their involvement. Once they get past secondary school and into college or work then this trend seems to increase.

Maggie reckons that giving people exposure to team sports and helping them find their sport or niche and ideally through a club makes it easier to stick at it. “Sport provides a great opportunity to learn life skills and to experience the highs and lows of success and failure and really develop team work” Maggie told us.

She also thought that their needs to be greater emphasis on recognising and supporting those who have made it, throughout all sport, even the smaller ones. “There should be more recognition for sportsmen and women not just those on TV and at the top of the game, after all tomorrow’s champions come from the emerging talent” she said. She wonders whether the 2012 Olympics will prove to be a catalyst for this. She believes that sporting role models visiting schools and colleges needs more development to provide real inspiration for the next generation.

Who would you like to thank?

“Well obviously my friends, family and team mates for their support”. Maggie also said that “The governing body RFUW also deserves a mention for helping develop the women’s game and in particular the coaching and support team who keep us at the top of our game. I have been told that after the World Cup that there is going to be an increase in funding to regional set-up to get more players trying the sport which is great news and can only be good for rugby in general”

Have you had any sponsorship support?

Maggie as one of the senior players get some sponsorship support but women’s rugby currently does not command the same financial benefits as the men’s game. She is sponsored by the following organisations:

EIS – English Institute of Sport – they provide funding for the England Elite squad and in particular support for training, physio and medical. (See more about EIS by checking out their website on http://www.eis2win.co.uk/gen/)
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Gilbert – Protective kit such as shoulder pads and headgear
Opro – Gumshields

If you Or your company are interested in Sponsoring Maggie then why not drop us a line at majorsporty and we can make the introductions This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  

What does the Future Hold?

Maggie is keen to push herself and continue to develop as a player and as part of the teams that she plays for. “ I love the competition and playing against the best in the world” she said. With Sarries she wants to continue to progress. The 6 Nations for 2007 kicks off on 3rd February and plays in parallel with the men’s tournament so that is a major focus and the English ladies team are looking to retain the trophy.

She has some sympathy with the men’s squad after their World Cup success and reckons that it takes 4 years to build a team and then another 4 to really start to play well. After the close final against New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup Final last year she has set her sights on helping England Ladies to win next time round in 2010.

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