Show notes
Natalie Sawyer is joined by Red Roses star Abbie Ward to reflect on the team's phenomenal World Cup victory and the absolute whirlwind of the past few weeks. Abbie shares an inside look at the championship celebrations and the deep bond that defines this history-making squad, and how she juggles being a professional rugby player and a mother! 🏆 The World Cup Final Experience: Abbie describes the final day as "spectacular," from stepping off the bus to an electric atmosphere at Twickenham to the game itself, which she "loved every minute of". ❤️ Team Bond and Culture: She details how the Red Roses deliberately fostered a close-knit group by focusing on "little moments," sharing personal stories, and celebrating individuals, a strategy she believes was a "point of difference". 🧠 Handling Pressure and Past Defeats: She discusses how the team is accustomed to pressure and how losing the last two World Cup finals spurred on the players with "extra hunger". She notes a change in perspective, allowing her to now look back on those losses with pride and appreciation for the growth of the women's game. 👧 Motherhood and Sport: Abbie speaks openly about the balancing act of being a professional player and a mother, highlighting the team's incredible support, including team-mates Amy Cokayne and Alex Matthews who looked after Hallie during the Samoa match! 🎉 The Legacy of the Win: Abbie stresses the team’s goal was not just to win, but to "create a legacy" by maintaining the momentum, growing the game, and paving the way for the next generation. 🏉 Growth of the Women’s Game: She advocates for more investment and teams to go professional, citing Canada's journey to the final as an "unbelievable story" for a non-fully professional side. 💪 The PWR's Role: Abbie praises the Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) as an "amazing showcase" of competitive, local rugby featuring the best international players and encourages fans to attend their local games. 00:00 - Interview Start & World Cup Win Reflection 01:52 - The Post-World Cup Celebrations (Including Ibiza!) 03:00 - How the Red Roses Team Bond is Built 03:56 - John Mitchell’s Pivotal Role in Team Culture 04:53 - Dealing with Pressure as Tournament Favourites 06:40 - Using Past World Cup Final Losses as Motivation 08:30 - The Challenges of Being a Mother and a Rugby Player 09:40 - "Hallie is part of the team" – The Ultimate Squad Support from Abbie's daughter 12:18 - Trusting Individuals and the Importance of Mental Health 13:55 - Going behind early in the final: What Was Said on the Pitch 15:07 - Canada’s Inspiring journey and the need for investment 17:07 - Being a Role Model and Growing Women's Rugby 19:49 - The Goal: Winning the World Cup & Creating a Legacy 21:10 - Encouraging Fans to Support Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) 23:06 - Thoughts on the proposed R360 League 25:46 - How Inspired Young Girls Can Get Into Rugby
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