Being part of the medical team at the Women’s Rugby World Cup was a unique privilege and a reminder of just how much teamwork happens off the pitch. Based at Northampton, my role varied from match to match. Sometimes providing physiotherapy coverage for the match officials, and other times stepping into a very different space as part of the pitch extrication team.
Covering the referees and officials is an often-overlooked role, yet it is essential. Officials travel the world, managing high-pressure games with the same physical demands as the athletes they oversee. Ensuring they are prepared, supported, and cared for means the games run smoothly, and it was rewarding to be part of that process.
On other matchdays, I swapped the physio bench for the high-intensity environment of the pitch extrication team. This involved working side by side with doctors, paramedics, and fellow physiotherapists to respond to serious on-field injuries. The collective focus is always the same: player welfare first.
The World Cup felt even more special because it came during what many are calling the “year of women’s sport.” Off the back of the Lionesses’ success and with the Red Roses tipped as strong contenders, the atmosphere around women’s rugby was electric. To experience that energy firsthand was unforgettable.
For me, there was an added layer of pride in being back at Northampton—a club I had worked at before leaving in 2014. Returning over a decade later, in such a significant context, made the experience even more meaningful.
Being part of this World Cup was a reminder of why I do what I do: not just to treat injuries, but to contribute to an environment where players and officials alike can perform at their very best.
