The launch of Grassroots Women’s Rugby feels less like the debut of a new podcast and more like being invited into a changing room after training — muddy boots, shared laughs, honest stories, and a deep sense of belonging. From the very first episode, hosts Kal and Erin create a space that is warm, raw, inclusive, and deeply human.
Recorded in a real clubhouse in Oxfordshire, the podcast immediately sets its tone: this is rugby, as lived by women at grassroots level. Not filtered. Not polished. Not elite-focused. Just real stories, from real people, who love the game.
As Kal and Erin explain, the podcast grew from deeply personal experiences. Kal’s journey includes breaking her ankle early in her rugby career and feeling “unheard and overlooked” in recovery, while Erin’s experiences around concussion highlighted how differently women are often treated in sport.
Together, they set out to build “a platform where women in rugby, especially at grassroots level, could have their voices heard.”
And that’s exactly what this first episode delivers.
A Podcast Built on Honesty and Community
From Brighton to Alaska, the hosts received stories from women whose lives have been shaped by rugby — sometimes gently, sometimes dramatically, but always meaningfully.
Kal’s own story sets the emotional tone. After breaking her ankle in her second ever game, enduring multiple failed attempts to reset it, and facing a gruelling year-long recovery, she reflects:
“Getting back onto the pitch is genuinely the best thing that has ever, ever, ever happened to me.”
Another contributor, Sarah, shares her struggle following major shoulder surgery:
“The first three weeks were the toughest of my life. Mentally, I was absolutely crumbling.”
But she also captures what makes grassroots rugby so powerful — the unwavering support of teammates, friends, and family that carries players through their darkest moments.
Rugby as Belonging, Healing, and Identity
One of the most striking themes throughout the episode is how rugby becomes a lifeline, especially during life’s most difficult chapters.
Rose, writing in from Alaska, describes how returning to rugby after divorce transformed her mental health:
“Rugby people are my favourite people.”
Another contributor explains how joining a new team while escaping domestic abuse helped rebuild her confidence:
“On the pitch, I was a different person. I was at home.”
These stories show that grassroots rugby isn’t just about fitness or competition — it’s about identity, safety, healing, and finding your place.
Challenging Age, Stereotypes, and Expectations
The episode beautifully dismantles the myth that rugby is only for young, elite athletes. Julie began playing at 58 and proudly reports:
“At the grand old age of 58, I’m still playing… and I scored my first ever try this year.”
Another player returned at 45 after serious back problems, reflecting:
“There’s something about women’s rugby that attracts and retains women from 18, right into their 50s — all valued, all welcomed.”
The podcast consistently reinforces a powerful message: there is a place for every woman in rugby — regardless of age, shape, background, experience, or ability.
Tackling the Conversations Others Avoid
True to their mission, Kal and Erin don’t shy away from the topics often ignored in mainstream sport. Periods, motherhood, mental health, body image, miscarriage, menopause, disability, abuse recovery — all are discussed with compassion, honesty, and zero embarrassment.
One moment perfectly captures this openness:
“It’s okay to talk about periods. It’s okay to ask women what it’s like on certain days of their cycle.”These conversations are long overdue in sport, and Grassroots Women’s Rugby handles them with empathy, humour, and deep respect.
Why You Should Listen
This podcast isn’t just for rugby players. It’s for anyone who cares about women’s sport, mental health, inclusion, community, and resilience. Whether you’ve played for decades, are thinking about picking up a ball for the first time, or simply love powerful human stories — this show delivers.
By amplifying voices rarely heard, Kal and Erin are not only documenting the grassroots game, they are actively shaping its future. As they say, this podcast is about creating “a place where women can be seen, heard, and celebrated in rugby.”
After just one episode, it’s clear: they’ve already succeeded.
If you care about women’s rugby — or simply want to hear inspiring, honest stories of courage, belonging, and transformation — this is a podcast you need in your life.
Episode Two of the Grassroots Women’s Rugby podcast is out now on Spotify and the Podcasts App, with Episode Three dropping on Mother’s Day, shining the light on mums in rugby.
Got a grassroots rugby story worth sharing? Send it to us at [email protected]
