Ex-England 15s and 7s player Danielle Waterman feels that there is more work to be done in growing the women’s game and women’s opportunities in rugby, but is optimistic the future is bright.
Waterman, who retired from rugby on the eve of the Red Roses going professional in 2019, now works as an HSBC Global Ambassador for their World of Opportunity programme.
This year saw history made with the first official Women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series event in Hong Kong and Waterman talked to some of the those on the circuit about the importance of Hong Kong and how its introduction to the women’s series is important for the sport of Sevens.
It displays her passion for growing the women’s game, despite the numerous recent successes that she recognises have been made possible by collective effort up to now.
“I’m really proud of where it is, and I think that’s come from all of the stakeholders pulling together,” she said.
“But there’s still a lot of work to be done, there’s still a lot of exposure that needs to happen or more opportunities need to be provided. Yeah, the Red Roses and some of the 7s players are professional but we need to be making sure they’re part of sustainable programmes and that they have a future in life after the game, and the big thing is everyone continuing to push in their sphere of influence.
“Since I started my work with HSBC I can see the value that brands have; how they can use their resource to create change, such as putting the women front and centre at the Hong Kong 7s for the first time this year which was massive.”
Initially, Waterman’s responsibility as an ambassador was to promote the women’s game as much as possible, and be the main voice for women’s sevens series on HSBC’s behalf.
And alongside that role evolving she has also been at the forefront of helping those looking to get into sport off the pitch, in the World of Opportunity programme.
“I was one of the first women to come onto their ambassador programme and I think first of all they wanted to have a female in and around the hospitality, working with clients and customers and showcasing what the women’s game is about.
“That’s evolved into having the chance to normalise the conversation about rugby being for everybody. Being around the environment, making sure that the women’s game is being talked about and celebrated is important, not just to me but the men that I work with: Bryan Habana, Brian O’Driscoll, David Flatman and Ben Ryan.
“One of the main things that I’ve been really proud of and massively enjoy is the World of Opportunity programme.
“As a youngster I was really fortunate to have parents that let me be what I wanted to be and supported me with whatever I wanted to do, but lots of young people now don’t realise that if they’re not an elite athlete or they don’t want to be a coach or physio there’s a space for them in sport, and they can come to these tournaments and be part of it.”
Throughout this year’s series, in Sydney, LA, Dubai and Hong Kong, prior to the tournament weekend, HSBC and their ambassadors hosted a series of workshops, showcasing and providing experience in the various jobs available within the world of sport.
“Whether it’s in the commentary team, in the disciplinary side or even events and marketing,” she added. “The World of Opportunity programme can help engage young people from the local area to come to the stadium, to physically feel what it’s like and see behind the scenes.
“It’s so cool because they can come away and feel like there’s a space for them. As a female athlete promoting that for young women as well is really important, because in the past sport hasn’t necessarily been a place where they’ve felt that they belong or that there’s a role for them.
“The fact that I’ve played, but also I’m a coach, commentator, and do bits and pieces as an ambassador just emphasises it even more. It’s a special programme and I’m really proud to be part of it.”
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