AntwisCollaborative

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It has been an amazing few weeks enjoying watching women’s rugby taking centre stage.  I have enjoyed travelling up and down the country from Sunderland, to Northampton, to Brighton, to Bristol and finally to Twickenham, London to follow the incredible Red Roses.  In sporting terms their journey has been fairly smooth, they have dominated the tournament and embodied the philosophy of T-CUP – thinking clearly under pressure.

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It has been clear throughout the tournament that Women’s rugby is growing rapidly across the world—and with good reason. It’s a sport that embodies resilience, respect, and unity, showcasing what can be achieved when individuals come together for a common goal. Beyond the physicality and excitement, rugby offers powerful lessons about teamwork, leadership, and celebrating the unique contributions each person brings to the team.

In education, we often talk about collaboration, inclusion, and developing well-rounded leaders. Women’s rugby is a living example of these values in action.

Every position has a purpose

Rugby is a game where every position matters—no role is too small, no effort insignificant. Much like in a school, success comes not from a single star but from a team pulling in the same direction, with a clear vision and a single goal in mind.

Props and forwards – These players provide strength, stability, and groundwork. They’re the foundation of the team, often doing the unseen but essential work that allows others to shine. In education, they remind us of the importance of those who create structure, support, and resilience in our school environments.

Scrum-half and fly-half – Often viewed as decision-makers, these players must be quick-thinking, adaptable, and excellent communicators. They connect the forwards’ hard work with the backline’s speed and flair. In schools, this reflects the importance of leaders who bridge ideas, coordinate, and inspire progress.

Centres and wingers – Known for creativity and pace, they seize opportunities and bring energy to the game. They show us that innovation and imagination are vital, whether on the field or in education.

Fullback – The last line of defence and often the one who must remain calm under pressure. Their role highlights the value of resilience and reliability—qualities every leader would benefit from.

Every player matters

Now we understand the importance of different positions, it’s worth recognising the players who bring these lessons to life. England’s Red Roses are filled with outstanding athletes, but figures like Ellie Kildunne, Hannah Botterman, Meg Jones, Abbie Ward, Abby Dow, and Natasha Hunt showcase not only world-class skill but also the importance of different roles within a team. From Kildunne’s finishing flair at full-back, to Botterman’s power in the scrum, Hunt’s game management, and Ward’s leadership in the engine room, each of these players highlights how unique skills and personalities combine to create collective success. Their examples remind us that a team’s strength lies in diversity—where every contribution matters and every role adds value.

Vision, Agility, Finishing

Ellie Kildunne

Kildunne’s role as full-back is more than finishing: she also has to anticipate opposition kicks, join the defensive line, and support attacks. She brings speed, sharp decision making, and creativity. These are qualities that reflect roles in learning communities: being alert, adaptable, stepping up when needed.

Abby Dow

Dow’s work shows that even roles that might seem “simpler” (run, chase, finish) involve high pressure: when you are relied on for moments, you carry responsibility for what might look like the final flourish or defensive stop.

Linkers, Communicators, Game Managers

Meg Jones

Jones is part of the centre partnership, crucial not just for breaking lines but for organising defence, supporting both forward and back play. She helps maintain structure, identify opportunities, and shore up gaps.

Natasha Hunt

Hunt’s role shows the importance of thinking quickly, of linking parts of the team together, and of managing pressure—skills valuable in any group endeavour.

Foundation, Strength, Unity

Hannah Botterman

Prop is sometimes less “glamorous” from the outside, but Botterman embodies how essential solidity is.  In the opening match of the 2025 World Cup (USA vs England), she was a standout: scored a try, dominated scrums and turnover situations, and showed both physical power and game awareness.

Abbie Ward

As a lock (second row), Ward is vital to lineout success, scrums, mauls, and physical confrontation. In the 2025 World Cup final, Ward’s leadership and work in the forwards helped generate a dominant set piece, and her try—coming from phases after a dominant scrum—illustrates how forwards earn scoring opportunities, not just backs.

More than a game

For young women especially, rugby provides empowerment, confidence, and a sense of belonging. It challenges stereotypes, celebrates strength in every form, and creates lifelong friendships. The rugby pitch becomes a classroom without walls, where players learn to trust, respect differences, and support one another.

Overcoming the dysfunctions of a team

As a school leader it is rare to be able to build your own team.  You will often be the new leader of an existing team and sometimes that team is dysfunctional.  Patrick Lencioni identifies five common dysfunctions that hold teams back: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. Watching women’s rugby at its highest level shows how these challenges are faced head-on—and overcome—on the pitch.

“Trust is the foundation of real teamwork.”
Trust allows forwards like Hannah Botterman and Abbie Ward to commit to the unseen work in the scrum and lineout, knowing their teammates rely on them even when the spotlight is elsewhere.

“When there is trust, conflict becomes nothing but the pursuit of truth.”
Natasha Hunt, as scrum-half, constantly communicates, questions, and directs play. Healthy debate and real-time feedback on the field show that constructive conflict drives clarity and progress.

“Commitment is a function of clarity and buy-in.”
Meg Jones exemplifies this in midfield, organising defence and attack, ensuring the team has alignment on strategy. Her influence shows that once clarity is established, commitment follows naturally.

“A team that avoids accountability encourages mediocrity.”
The Red Roses set incredibly high standards. Abby Dow’s finishing ability on the wing comes with accountability: she must deliver under pressure, and her teammates hold her to that standard.

“Inattention to results occurs when team members put their individual needs above the collective goals of the team.”
Ellie Kildunne, despite being named World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, consistently emphasises team success over personal accolades. Her willingness to support and create for others shows that results are about collective achievement, not individual glory.

Lessons for leaders and our schools

As leaders, we can draw inspiration from the rugby field and the Red Roses:

Diversity strengthens teams. Just as a rugby squad needs a balance of speed, strength, strategy, and skill, our learning communities thrive when every individual’s talents are valued.

Teamwork beats individual brilliance. Success is collective, built on trust and communication.

Growth comes from challenge. Rugby players push past limits, learning that resilience and determination matter as much as ability.

Final whistle

Women’s rugby is more than a sport—it’s a celebration of teamwork, inclusion, and empowerment. By recognising the importance of every position on the field, we also remind ourselves of the value of every learner, every colleague, and every voice in our communities.

As the women’s game continues to flourish, let’s take its lessons into our schools: celebrate strengths, work as one, and never underestimate the power of a team.

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