The thing about working in TV is you never know which world you’ll enter next. Each job takes you temporarily to another place, where for a short period of time, you co-exist alongside your contributors, every waking moment of the day.
If you’re lucky, they accept you into their fold and you get the opportunity to live a different reality. This year’s been no exception - I’ve pretty much lived and breathed rugby every day whilst shadowing the Wales Women Squad as they prepared for the Six Nations championships.
At first I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Would I ‘get’ what it’s like to be so focused and driven by one thing only? Would they let me into their gang, given I’m a Scot living in Wales for the last 17 years - technically ‘the enemy’! But I relish a challenge and don’t scare too easily so I thought what have I got to lose? Worst-case scenario - maybe a couple of teeth, if things went really badly!
As I started researching, it didn’t take long to realise that there are lots of assumptions about women’s rugby.
And after five weeks of living and breathing rugby I’m happy to confirm that the world I witnessed first-hand was very different from the often-popular misconceptions that surround the women’s game.
Firstly girls who play rugby don’t shy away from contact. I’ve witnessed an array of black eyes, fat lips and bruises in all sizes, shapes and colours (some the size of small countries). Each of the women took their injuries on the chin, the same as any sportsman would.
Secondly, the squad is fiercely competitive but team camaraderie is always greater than the sum of its individual parts. The women have really strong bonds and watch each other’s backs literally and metaphorically 24/7.
In a world where women are often pitted against each other, it was refreshing to be in a bubble with 32 women who between training sessions laughed, sang, cried and encouraged each other. And they are Welsh so they sing a lot! Thanks to prop Lowri Harries, I will never be able to listen to Proud Mary without visualizing her busting her moves!
Thirdly, much like their personalities, the girls come in a variety of ages, shapes and sizes depending on the positions they play. But in this group difference is embraced. They don’t judge each other for not being the same. Difference is what gives their team its power. Each body is celebrated for its unique set of strengths, and is seen as a tool to be nurtured with proper food and exercise.
Training under Head Coach Rowland Phillips’s watchful eye is hard work
The team also embodies the ethos that if you really work hard enough, and you have enough commitment and determination, you can earn a place in the squad.
They’ve fought hard to wear the red shirts with pride. In return I think we owe them 80 minutes of our time to cheer them on from the stands.
And to be honest, when the Wales Women Squad face Scotland, I won’t be too sad if Scotland lose. Whatever the outcome, the fact that the games are finally being broadcast live for the first time in history is still a victory in my eyes for women generally.
Watch Wales Women: Inside the Scrum, tonight 7.30pm, BBC Two Wales.
