- World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi assists Bath coaching talent to celebrate International Women’s Day
- Former HITZ participant Jade Whale gets advice ahead of her Level 2 coaching qualification
- HITZ programme hailed by Alphonsi for its ability to empower young women
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2019, England rugby legend Maggie Alphonsi teamed up with Jade Whale, a rising young English coaching talent, to lead an all‑girls coaching session in Bath.
The training session was put on by Land Rover for female participants of HITZ, a national social inclusion programme that uses the power of rugby to inspire and motivate young adults back into education and employment.
Currently preparing for her Level 2 Rugby Coaching qualification, 19‑year‑old Whale is one of the many success stories from the HITZ programme.
Before starting HITZ, Jade suffered from low self‑confidence and lacked motivation during her school years. Leaving education with one GCSE, everything changed when she joined the programme, which is supported by Land Rover.
Having never engaged with rugby before, she now plays for Bath Rugby Ladies, and is an apprentice for the Bath Rugby Foundation. Her next challenge sees her aiming to secure another coaching qualification, something Land Rover ambassador Alphonsi has hailed.
Rugby World Cup winner assists young star in rugby coaching masterclass to celebrate International Women’s Day
Rugby World Cup winner assists young star in rugby coaching masterclass to celebrate International Women’s Day
Rugby World Cup winner assists young star in rugby coaching masterclass to celebrate International Women’s Day
What is great about International Women’s Day is we get the chance to tell the stories of fantastic individuals who are doing amazing things; Jade is absolutely one of them.
Maggie Alphonsi
England rugby legend
“Jade’s story inspires me so much, to think that she’s come from not being very confident to working her way through HITZ and standing here today leading a rugby coaching session with 20 girls.
“She now has a coaching apprenticeship at the Bath Rugby Foundation and has an infectious confidence. To me that is brilliant, Jade’s story can inspire so many people.”
HITZ has been supported by Land Rover since its inception in 2013. Recognising her efforts during the course, Whale was presented with the Land Rover HITZ Rugby Ambassador Award in 2018.
With the aim of becoming a full‑time coach, Jade is hoping to inspire more young women to take up rugby.
“HITZ has taken me so far and coaching alongside Maggie has been life changing, she is an inspiration to me. This is an opportunity I would never have had without HITZ.
“I’m now going in to schools and coaching other girls. The women’s game is growing and if I can play a part in expanding it and help others bring out their confidence, then that’s brilliant.”
Land Rover is a key partner of HITZ, the sport for change programme that uses rugby to motivate young adults. Follow @LandRoverRugby
ENDS